Shawano Leader News
Public Record
Shawano Police Department
June 2
Police logged 30 incidents, including the following:
OAR — A 21-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation and taken into custody on a Probation and Parole hold at Main Street and Northbridge Drive.
OWI — An 18-year-old female was taken into custody for operating while intoxicated at Division and Main streets.
Disturbance — Police responded to a fight in progress at Maurer and Union streets.
Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle injury accident at Main and Stevens streets.
Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported two shoplifters in custody.
Theft — A license plate was reported stolen at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Warrant — Police responding to a juvenile problem in the 500 block of South Hamlin Street took a male subject into custody on a warrant.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
June 2
Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on Ellms Street in Wittenberg.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Country Lane in the town of Washington.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Oakcrest Drive in the town of Washington.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on East Green Bay Street in Bonduel.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Cherry Street in Bowler.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Elm Grove Road in Pella.
Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
June 2
Police logged six incidents, including the following:
Accident — A minor accident report was completed for a car vs. deer accident on West Madison Street near West Street.
Disturbance — Officers responded to a family disturbance on South Main Street and the matter was resolved after the parties were separated.
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Shawano Police Department
June 1
Police logged 28 incidents, including the following:
OWI — A 22-year-old woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Green Bay and Arlington streets.
OWI — A 28-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Elizabeth and Cleveland streets.
Animal — A quarantine was ordered after a cat bite in the 200 block of West Fifth Street.
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at Sturgeon Park, 811 S. Water St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Green Bay and Sawyer streets.
Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a 21-year-old female in custody for shoplifting.
Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a 24-year-old female in custody for shoplifting.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 900 block of South Hamlin Street.
May 31
Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:
Prowler — Police responded to a complaint of a prowler at Richmond and Evergreen streets.
Drug offense — Two male subjects were taken into custody on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop at Main and Stevens streets.
Theft — Darts cases, darts and sunglasses were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 1100 block of South Main Street.
Warrant — A 49-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant in the 300 block of South Andrews Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of Acorn Street.
Assault — Police investigated a report of an assault in the 500 block of South Franklin Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.
Burglary — A report of a burglary in the 300 block of West Fourth Street was determined to be unfounded.
May 30
Police logged 31 incidents, including the following:
Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 100 block of Thomas Avenue.
Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint at the Recreation Center, 220 E. Division St.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 800 block of East Green Bay St.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
June 1
Deputies logged 34 incidents, including the following:
Bail Jumping — Authorities investigated a bail jumping complaint on U.S. Highway 45 in Tigerton.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Hiawatha Court in Wescott.
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on Lake Drive in Wescott.
Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Lessor-Navarino Road in Lessor.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road N in Aniwa.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Country Lane in the town of Washington.
Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.
May 31
Deputies logged 52 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Hayman Falls Lane in Pella.
OAR — A 35-year-old woman was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.
Warrant — A male subject was taken into custody on a warrant on Big Lake Road in Red Springs.
Fireworks — Authorities responded to a fireworks complaint on Springbrook Road in the town of Washington.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Cedar Street in Bonduel.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Sunrise Road in Tigerton.
Accidents — Authorities logged 10 accidents, including two people injured in a motorcycle crash on state Highway 29 in Maple Grove; a motorcycle versus deer crash on Highway 187 in Navarino; and five other deer-related crashes.
May 30
Deputies logged 54 incidents, including the following:
Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Butternut Road in Richmond.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Main Street in Bowler.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance at the Shawano County Courthouse, 311 N. Main St. in Shawano.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Oak Road in Wittenberg.
Accidents — Authorities logged four accidents, including two deer-related crashes.
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Leader Staff
It’s that time of year again when motorists need to be aware of increased chances of running into deer on the roadways.
Shawano County is one of the places in Wisconsin where that is most likely to happen, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Law enforcement agencies reported 18,313 deer vs. motor vehicle crashes in the state last year.
Waukesha County had the most motor vehicle vs. deer crashes in 2013 with 809. Dane County had the second most with 786, followed by Shawano County with 748.
In Green Lake, Shawano and Taylor counties, more than half of all reported crashes in 2013 involved deer.
Deer are the third most commonly struck object in Wisconsin traffic crashes, behind collisions with another vehicle or a fixed object.
Deer activity increases this time of year as does search for places to give birth and young deer separate from their mothers. With this increased activity, drivers may encounter more deer darting into the paths of their vehicles without warning.
Although motor vehicle collisions with deer peak in the fall months, June is one of the worst months for driver and passenger injuries due to deer crashes.
In four of the last five years, June ranked as the worst or second worst month for motorists’ injuries from deer crashes, according to the DOT.
“The best way to avoid crashes with deer is to slow down and eliminate distractions while you drive. You also need to buckle up in case a crash can’t be avoided,” said David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.
“Motorcyclists must be especially careful because collisions with deer can be fatal to motorcycle drivers and passengers,” he said. “Motorcycles were involved in six of the eight fatal deer versus motor vehicle crashes in 2013.”
FYI
WisDOT offers the following advice to avoid deer crashes:
• Be vigilant in early morning and evening hours, the most active time for deer.
• Eliminate distractions while driving and don’t speed.
• Always wear your safety belt—there are fewer and less severe injuries in crashes when safety belts are worn.
— If you see a deer by the side of the road, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.
• When you see one deer, look for another one; deer seldom run alone.
• If you find a deer looming in your headlights, don’t expect the deer to move away. Headlights can confuse a deer and cause the animal to freeze. Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path. Do not swerve. It can confuse the deer as to where to run. It can also cause you to lose control and hit a tree or another car.
• The one exception is if you are riding a motorcycle. In this case, you should slow down, brake firmly and then swerve if you need to in order to avoid hitting the deer. When swerving on a motorcycle, always try to stay within the lane if at all possible to avoid hitting other objects.
• If your vehicle strikes a deer, stay in your vehicle and do not touch the animal if it is still alive. The injured deer, in attempting to move, could hurt you or itself. Walking or stopping on the highway is very dangerous — you could be hit by an oncoming vehicle if you get out of your car.The best advice is to get your car off the road if possible, and call law enforcement.
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Contributed Photo Stockbridge-Munsee biologist Randall Wollenhaup puts a collar on the yearling bear as he is readied for transport in a barrel trap Friday afternoon. Wollenhaup was assisted by Beau Miller, Stockbridge-Munsee tribal warden.
He was fast becoming a local celebrity over the course of his three-day visit, but by Friday he had apparently overstayed his welcome.
The yearling bear that had been alternately raiding bird feeders and getting chased into trees to have his picture taken since his arrival in Shawano on Wednesday morning was forcibly evicted by authorities shortly after 1 p.m. Friday.
“We darted him and sent him on his way,” said Jim Horne, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation warden.
It was initially expected the bear would eventually wander out of town on its own if left alone. Whether it was the ample supply of tasty bird seed or the attention being lavished by amateur paparazzi, the bear kept coming back for more.
“Everybody and their brother was chasing him around town,” Horne said.
Some residents were even posing their children in pictures with the bear.
“Not a good idea,” Horne said.
Late Thursday afternoon, the bear found itself up a tree in the 500 block of West Green Bay Street surrounded by what one caller to the Shawano Police Department described as a crowd of around 30 people.
The caller was concerned about the traffic hazard of children crossing Green Bay Street to get a look at the bear.
The bear finally climbed out of the tree shortly after 7 p.m. and authorities assumed that was the last Shawano would see of him.
Then, on Friday, the calls started coming in again.
On Alpine Drive, a man who poured a slab of concrete went into his home and, when he came out again, saw a line of bear tracks in the cement.
Thursday afternoon, a woman reported the bear was tearing up her bird feeder.
Horne put in a call to the Stockbridge-Munsee biologist, Randall Wollenhaup, and Tribal Warden Beau Miller for their assistance.
The bear was located in a tree at Maple Avenue and Smalley Street where, Horne said, “he was eating grape jelly out of a bird feeder.”
The 80-pound bear was tranquilized, collared, put into a barrel trap for transport, and shipped off to someplace a little less populated.
“The middle of nowhere,” Horne said. “Someplace where he won’t be a pest.”
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Shawano Police Department
May 29
Police logged 27 incidents, including the following:
Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.
Vandalism — A vehicle was reported vandalized in the 100 block of South Main St.
Arrest — A male subject was taken into custody at the Probation and Parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.
Shoplifting — Goodwill Industries, 300 Lakeland Road, reported a female shoplifter in custody.
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 700 block of South Franklin Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
May 29
Deputies logged 43 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Webb Street in Wittenberg.
Theft — Copper tubing was reported stolen on County Road A in Bowler.
Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Putnam Lane in Bowler.
OAR — A 45-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine.
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on County Road A in Richmond.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Flint Avenue in Mattoon.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on on Rollman Street in Bowler.
Accidents — Authorities logged eight accidents, including six deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
May 29
Police logged eight incidents, including the following:
Theft — A theft was reported on Green Tree Road.
Theft — A theft was reported on Anne Street.
Suspicious — Police investigated a suspicious incident on Flora Circle.
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Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Tom Bjelland, vice president of support services at Cooperative Resources International, takes U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on a tour Thursday of CRI’s distribution facility in Shawano.
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin participates in a round-table discussion with CRI staff Thursday at the distribution center in Shawano. Next to Baldwin, clockwise, are CEO Doug Wilson, Huub te Plate, vice president of international marketing, Larry Romuald, treasurer, and Keith Heikes, chief operating officer of animal breeding in the Genex division.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, visited Cooperative Resources International in Shawano on Thursday for a tour of the cooperative’s distribution facility and a wide-ranging discussion with CRI staff that ranged from food safety to foreign policy.
The cooperative exports products to 63 countries, including Iran.
“Iran has been a very good market for CRI,” company treasurer Larry Romuald told Baldwin.
Sanctions against the country, including wire transfer routes being closed down, have often made it difficult to do business.
“If you can’t get paid, you really can’t have any trade,” he said.
Romuald said recent talks between the U.S. and Iran and a relaxation of sanctions was a positive development.
Huub te Plate, CRI vice president of international marketing, told Baldwin that after frequent visits to Iran over the past 10 years, he has seen the effect of sanctions.
“The country is going downhill,” he said.
te Plate added that the Internet, where Iranian citizens can see what people in other countries have that they don’t, has put pressure on Iranian leaders to be more willing to negotiate with the West.
Baldwin said that would be important information to share with those in Congress pushing for a harder line against Iran.
“I’ve been in runs with my colleagues where we’ve been talking about, ‘is our action aggressive enough?’” she said.
On the domestic front, a major concern was the lack of any federal program for the registration and tracking of animals that would be vital in the event of an outbreak of disease.
“We are vulnerable,” CRI CEO Doug Wilson said.
Pete Giacomini, CRI vice president of business development, said the biggest single risk CRI faces is the outbreak of a major animal health issue.
“We have no one to blame but ourselves as an industry because our industry has not found consensus on this,” he said.
CRI was instrumental in helping form the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium, but that model has not caught on on a federal level.
Giacomini said there is a culture, particularly on the cattle side of the industry and in the West, that sees such a program as government intrusion.
“Somehow we need to get past the idea that it’s infringing privacy,” Giacomini said.
Baldwin said after the roundtable discussion that there were a number of points made that would be helpful to her in her work in Washington, including the importance of research and development and innovation in growing domestic businesses.
“The cooperative is a key economic player in Wisconsin and certainly in this region,” she said. “I wanted to hear more about the public/private partnerships that exist to keep Wisconsin on the cutting edge with regard to agriculture.”
Baldwin said she was proud of the work CRI has been doing and said it is a model she could share with other policy makers.
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The Democratic Party could keep control of the Senate after the midterm elections this fall, according to U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, but a thinner majority will mean more compromise going forward.
“I think Democrats will keep control of the Senate, but I do believe it will be a much slimmer majority and it will require even more cooperation between the parties,” Baldwin said during a stopover in Shawano on Thursday.
Baldwin made her comments after a visit to Cooperative Resources International.
Baldwin said there has already been more cooperation in Washington than typically makes the headlines, including a Water Resources Development Act passed last week that she said would be hugely important to Wisconsin’s water infrastructure.
She said she hopes for passage next week of the Workforce Investment Act, aimed at career and workforce readiness.
Baldwin said it would help address one of the problems talked about at CRI, which was a need for trained scientists in the agricultural industry.
“We have job openings, people want to work, but there’s a skills mismatch,” she said. “This is a federal initiative to close that gap.”
Baldwin, who is not up for re-election this year, said attention is starting to pivot now toward the midterm elections, but she said there are important pieces of legislation that could still be accomplished.
Some of the Senate races in play could hinge on the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
“The time has passed for campaigning on repealing or defunding it,” Baldwin said. “It’s time now is to celebrate the huge step forward.”
Baldwin said the law isn’t perfect and both sides should work together to fix what doesn’t work.
However, she said, “there’s a lot of things to celebrate in it.”
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetProposed county pay changes posted online
Lee Pulaski, [email protected]
Shawano County officials are trying to figure out how employee pay information was published along with minutes of a meeting on the county’s website.
The Administrative Committee minutes for its May 12 meeting contained six pages with employee names, positions, current pay and proposed pay. The information is part of a wage study conducted by Carlson Dettmann Consulting, LLC, but was supposed to remain confidential until the study received committee approval.
Although the County Board approved the minutes for the Administrative Committee and other committees that met in May, the minutes on the website had not been approved prior to the County Board meeting on Wednesday.
As of Thursday afternoon, the salary information had been removed from the website, with only the unofficial minutes remaining.
Several county supervisors were furious that the information was made public prematurely and said Wednesday they want to know who is responsible.
“We did not want it out, but (County Clerk) Rosemary (Rueckert) said that for some reason it’s on the website,” said County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann, who sits on the Administrative Committee. “I wasn’t aware of this until tonight.”
The information had been on the site for at least a week. Supervisor Rick Giese said he received a call on May 22 while he was in Minneapolis for a family event.
“I had somebody grumbling at me about something I didn’t know about,” Giese said. “I always thought the flow chart was the taxpayers, us and on the way down. Who the heck put this online?”
Administrative Coordinator Tom Madsen claimed he did not know who specifically put the information into the public minutes but said he would accept full responsibility.
“It probably came from my department, but I can’t say that for sure, either,” Madsen said.
Carlson Dettmann was hired by the County Board in December 2013 to look at consolidating job positions and conduct a wage study to see if what the county paid its employees was in line with other Wisconsin counties and municipalities.
If the County Board approves the recommendations in the wage study, it will cost about $240,000 in 2015 to implement. Pay would be frozen for about 7 percent of the county’s 294 employees, while the other 93 percent could get anywhere from 8 cents to $5.24 more per hour, depending on what the Administrative Committee approves.
Employees will be able to appeal the Carlson Dettmann recommendations. The committee is still determining how the appeal process will work.
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Leader Staff
Shawano Police Department Photo A yearling bear was spotted foraging for food in the northwest area of Shawano on Wednesday and Thursday.
Photo by Tim Larsen A yearling bear was seen poking around garages and eating out of bird feeders south of Anderson Avenue on Thursday morning.
A yearling bear foraging for food has been drawing a lot of local attention in Shawano over the past two days, while officials were considering Thursday afternoon whether to trap it or let it eventually wander off on its own.
“Everybody’s been chasing it,” said Jim Horne, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation warden.
The bear was even chased up a tree at one point.
Horne was waiting to hear back from Animal Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture about setting a trap if necessary. In the meantime, he advised residents to let the animal be.
“Quit chasing it. Quit standing under the tree,” he said. “It’s not going to come down while you’re there.”
Horne said this is a typical occurrence for this time of year, “when mom chases the yearlings away, like the fawns.”
Newborn cubs typically spend their first winter and first summer with mom, Horne said, but after the second winter they’re on their own.
That’s apparently been the case with the bear that was first spotted wandering around Shawano on Wednesday morning, trying to find food for the first time on its own.
Mostly the bear has been eating bird seed found in city yards, Horne said.
Shawano police received their first call about the bear about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday when a caller reported a small bear in the yards and looking into garages around Alpine Drive and Alpine Terrace.
It was spotted Thursday morning south of Anderson Avenue near the railroad tracks where it spent some time in a tree, peeked into a garage and polished off the bird seed in a feeder at one home before moving on.
Tim Larsen, who snapped a photo of it, said the bear was very friendly and not afraid to walk up to people.
However, he said, “if one does encounter this cub, I’d keep my distance just in case.”
The bear was last reported near Shawano Medical Center on Thursday afternoon.
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Shawano Police Department
May 28
Police logged 41 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — An underage drinking complaint in the 600 block of East Center Street was determined to be unfounded.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of South Washington Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 700 block of South Union Street.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Water and Wescott streets.
Arrest — A male subject was taken into custody at the Probation and Parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of East Richmond Street.
Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint at Sears, 822 E. Green Bay St.
Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 800 block of South River Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 200 block of South Andrews Street.
Warrant — A woman was taken into custody on a warrant in the 400 block of North Main Street.
OAR — A 20-year-old female was cited for operating after revocation in the 600 block of East Green Bay Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
May 28
Deputies logged 45 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — North Star Casino, W12180 County Road A, in Bowler reported two women in a fight on the casino floor.
Theft — Chainsaws and gas were reported stolen on Pine Court in Wescott.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Mill Street in Bonduel.
Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Oak Road in Wittenberg.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on River Road in Bowler.
Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Lake Drive in Wescott.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Grand Avenue in Wittenberg.
Accidents — Authorities logged eight accidents, including five deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
May 28
Police logged eight incidents, including the following:
Harassment — A warning was issued for harassment at Main and 12th streets.
Theft — A theft was reported on McKinley Avenue.
Disturbance — A male subject was arrested for domestic abuse and disorderly conduct.
Rate this article: Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yetDetective offices named after supervisor
Lee Pulaski, [email protected]
The Shawano County Board voted unanimously Wednesday to name the newly renovated detective offices in the county courthouse after Supervisor Arlyn Tober, who was first elected to the board in 1974.
Tober said the honor took him completely by surprise.
“Usually these honors don’t come until you’re dead,” he said.
Tober has represented the town of Pella on the County Board since 1974, the last 12 as board vice chairman. He noted that he has also, at times, represented residents in Grant, Marion, Herman and Richmond.
Tober has been on the Finance Committee since 1992, and he served on the Public Safety Committee from 1992-1999 and again from 2010-2011.
“I try to avoid the three P’s — personal issues, personalities and politics. Any one of them can get you in trouble,” Tober told his fellow board members. “Always remember, though, that you’re doing the county’s work. That’s what you were elected to do.”
Tober, whose first committee assignments included the Law Enforcement Committee, said he endured a trial by fire when the Alexian Brothers Novitiate near Gresham was seized by members of the Menominee Warrior Society on New Year’s Day 1975.
The resolution honoring Tober was proposed by the Public Safety Committee. Supervisor Bert Huntington, who serves on the committee, said it was an obvious way to honor a board member who has dedicated his life to the county.
“Arlyn has served this county for 40 years, and if anybody needs these offices dedicated to them, it’s Arlyn Tober,” Huntington said. “He has been involved in everything, and I think it’s a great idea that we do this.”
County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann echoed Huntington’s sentiments, saying Tober was a “good, honest man.”
“What better way than with an area downstairs that upholds justice dedicated in his name,” Erdmann said.
A plaque bearing Tober’s name will be placed in the hallway, next to the detective offices.
The offices were recently renovated, at a cost in excess of $50,000, to ease overcrowding at the Sheriff’s Department, across the street from the courthouse. The space became available when the county Health Department moved upstairs.
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The ballot appears to be set for the Republican primary in the Shawano County sheriff’s race, with no limit on the amount of money the candidates can spend.
Incumbent Randy Wright and challengers Tom Tuma and Adam Bieber have all returned well over the 200 signatures needed to get on the ballot.
Wright turned in 400 signatures. Tuma turned in 353, and Bieber turned in 300.
The primary will be held Aug. 12.
Barring any last-minute entries, one of the candidates will advance to the general election Nov. 4, where there is an expected challenge from Independent candidate Lucas Christenson, of Shawano.
Christenson had not returned his papers as of Wednesday afternoon. The deadline is 5 p.m. Monday.
None of the three candidates in the Republican primary have claimed the $1,000 spending limit that would have exempted them from having to file campaign finance disclosures.
That means they can spend as much as they want as long as they turn in campaign finance reports. The first report, covering their spending through June 30, is due by July 21.
County Clerk Rosemary Rueckert said all three have also inquired as to what the maximum is that an individual contributor can give to a campaign. That would be $419.49.
Wright, who has been sheriff since 2007, is seeking another four-year term.
Tuma, a captain with the Sheriff’s Department, will have been with the department for 25 years in August.
Bieber, a Shawano police officer, has worked in law enforcement for 14 years and has been with the Shawano Police Department since 2003.
Christenson works in the parts department at American Marine & Motorsports in Shawano.
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Leader Staff
The driver of a semi that rolled over on state Highway 29 Tuesday, closing the westbound lanes for nearly three hours, was charged Wednesday with being under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.
Tyler A. Klein, 26, of Manitowoc, was charged with second-offense operating while intoxicated and a felony count of second or subsequent offense possession of marijuana.
Klein was operating a semi tractor/trailer that was hauling recycled building materials in a hydraulic dumpster. The truck was owned by Schultz Trucking Enterprises of Green Bay, according to the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.
The Sheriff’s Department received several calls just before 2 p.m. about a semi-truck that was “swerving all over the roadway,” according to the criminal complaint.
A sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle at Witt-Morr Town Line Road and saw the semi swerve violently onto the gravel and back onto the road again, the complaint states.
The deputy prepared to pull the vehicle over when it went into the gravel again, this time snapping the post of a road sign.
The driver lost control of the semi as it veered back into the traffic lane and rolled over, according to the complaint.
Klein was taken to Aspirus Hospital in Wausau, where he was medically cleared and then transported to Shawano County Jail.
According to the criminal complaint, authorities located a backpack in the truck that contained a tin foil pipe with burned plant material inside.
Klein could face a maximum 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine on the felony possession count if found guilty.
He could also face a maximum six months and $1,100 fine on the misdemeanor count of second-offense OWI. He also faces a misdemeanor count of possessing drug paraphernalia, which carries a maximum 30 days and $500 fine.
Klein was ordered held on a $5,000 cash bond.
He is due in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Monday for an adjourned initial appearance.
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Shawano Police Department
May 27
Police logged 31 incidents, including the following:
Disorderly — Officers responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 1100 block of Smalley Street.
Probation — Police took a Shawano man into custody on a probation and parole hold.
Suspicious Person — Student at Hillcrest Primary School, 1410 Waukechon St., reported a suspicious person walking behind the school.
Runaway — Police responded to a runaway juvenile in the 400 block of Picnic Street.
Accident — Police responded to a two-car accident at the intersection of Richmond Street and Evergreen Street.
Disturbance — Officers responded to a disturbance at American Marine, 1100 E. Green Bay St.
Probation — Police arrested a Shawano man on a probation and parole hold.
Disturbance — Officers took a 22-year-old man into custody on a domestic violence complaint in the 1000 block of Andrews Street.
Threatening — Police responded to complaint of threatening behavior in the 300 block of Center Street.
Suspicious Person — Officers responded to a suspicious person digging an unknown item from an abandoned home in the 800 block of Maurer Street.
Juvenile — Police investigated a complaint of eight juveniles drinking at a residence in the 600 block of East Center Street.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
May 27
Deputies logged 43 incidents, including the following:
Threatening — Deputies responded to a complaint of threatening behavior on Merkle Road in Caroline.
Theft — Authorities investigated theft of $1,000 from a vehicle on East Main Street in Bowler.
Harassment — Deputies responded to a complaint of harassing behavior on Hiawatha Court in Shawano.
Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary complaint on Main Laney Drive in Pulaski.
Fraud — Welfare fraud is being investigated after authorities received complaint from Shawano County Social Services, 607 E. Elizabeth St., Shawano.
Traffic — Deputies responded to a complaint of turtle as a traffic hazard along County Road MM in Shawano.
Property Damage — Authorities investigated damage to a mailbox on Friendship Road in Shawano.
Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint against two females at Sentry Foods, 110 S. Mission St., Wittenberg.
Clintonville Police Department
May 27
Police logged four incidents, including the following:
Theft — Police investigated a theft on Anne Street.
Harassment — A harassment complaint was reported on Lincoln Avenue.
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Leader Staff
A Manitowoc man was injured Tuesday afternoon after his dump truck overturned on state Highway 29 near Wittenberg, closing down the westbound lanes for more than two hours.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said the 26-year-old driver was taken to Aspirus Hospital in Wausau.
However, Chief Deputy John Gutho said, initial reports from the scene indicated the man was not seriously injured.
Gutho said the Sheriff’s Department received several calls shortly before the crash at around 2 p.m. about an erratic driver operating what was described as a dump truck on westbound Highway 29.
A notice about the lane closures from the Department of Transportation referred to the vehicle as a semi.
Gutho said a deputy made visual contact with the truck and was about to pull it over when the vehicle lost control and rolled over.
Westbound traffic was detoured south on Wittmor Road to Willow Road and north again on U.S. Highway 45.
The Sheriff’s Department was assisted at the scene by Tigerton Police Department, Stockbridge-Munsee Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Shawano Highway Department, and Wittenberg Ambulance and Fire Department.
The crash remains under investigation.
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Shawano Police Department
May 26
Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:
Vandalism — Police responded to a vandalism complaint at a residence in the 400 block of South Smalley Street.
Fireworks — Police responded to a fireworks complaint at Randall and Union streets.
Disorderly — Police responded to a complaint of an intoxicated male at Lincoln and Center streets.
Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
May 26
Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:
Warrant — A 21-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant on Butternut Road in the town of Herman.
Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on U.S. Highway 45 in Aniwa.
Theft — Lawn ornaments were reported stolen on Springbrook Road in the town of Washington.
Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Swan Acre Drive in the town of Washington.
Theft — Items were reported missing from a porch on County Road G in Red Springs.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Witt-Birn Town Line Road in Wittenberg.
Theft — A money order was reported stolen on Witt-Birn Town Line Road in Wittenberg.
Vandalism — A patio door was reported vandalized on Maplewood Street in Bowler.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on County Road G in Red Springs.
Accidents — Authorities logged four deer-related crashes.
Clintonville Police Department
May 26
Police logged 16 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Officers responded to a disturbance on Coleus Court.
Disorderly — A male subject was arrested for disorderly conduct at Memorial Circle.
Fireworks — Police responded to a fireworks complaint at 12th and Garfield streets.
Disturbance — A disorderly conduct/battery and trespassing complaint on Seventh Street was referred to the district attorney.
Fire — Fire Department was dispatched to a shed fire on Seventh Street.
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Shawano Police Department
May 25
Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:
Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 300 block of Alpine Drive.
OWI — A 23-year-old woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Green Bay Street and Madison Way.
Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 1300 block of East Lieg Avenue.
Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
May 24
Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:
Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 600 block of South Lincoln Street.
Vandalism — Police responded to a vandalism complaint in the 1000 block of South Sawyer Street.
Accident — Police responded to an injury accident in the 1000 block of East Green Bay Street.
Theft — A lawn Buddha was reported stolen from the 1200 block of Walley Lane.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Kindred Hearts of Shawano, 1377 S. Lincoln St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.
May 23
Police logged 29 incidents, including the following:
Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.
Warrant — A female subject was taken into custody on outstanding warrants in the 300 block of South Sawyer Street.
Theft — A bike was reported stolen at Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.
Suspicious — Police investigated a report of suspicious behavior in the woods at Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 400 block of East Division Street.
Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint at Memorial Park, 909 S. Lincoln St.
Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance on Mountain Bay Trail Drive.
Shawano County Sheriff’s Department
May 25
Deputies logged 57 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Maple Street in Birnamwood.
OWI — A 34-year-old Shawano man was arrested for operating while intoxicated on County Road Y in Belle Plaine.
Fleeing — A subject was taken into custody after a fleeing incident on Nabor Road in Cecil.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road G in Red Springs.
Theft — A puppy was reported stolen on Marble Avenue in Mattoon.
OAR — A 28-year-old woman was cited for operating after revocation
Theft — Sheriff Randy Wright reported a campaign sign stolen on Maders Circle in Wescott.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Hemlock Road in Wittenberg.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Rustic Drive in Belle Plaine.
Accidents — Authorities logged four accidents, including an injury accident on U.S. Highway 45 in Birnamwood and two deer-related crashes.
May 24
Deputies logged 50 incidents, including the following:
Disorderly — Authorities responded to a complaint of an intoxicated female on Mail Street in Gresham.
Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Sunrise Road in the town of Herman.
OAR — A 25-year-old male was cited for operating after revocation on Quad Park Lane in Tigerton.
Theft — A checkbook and wallet were reported stolen on County Road M in Richmond.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Hemlock Road in Birnamwood.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.
Warrant — A 47-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.
Warrant — A female subject was taken into custody on Webb Street in Wittenberg.
OAR — A 31-year-old man was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.
Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on Main Street in Gresham.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on state Highway 22 in Green Valley.
Accidents — Authorities logged five accidents, including three deer-related crashes and a vehicle versus turkey.
May 23
Deputies logged 51 incidents, including the following:
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Big Lake Road in Red Springs.
Warrant — A 28-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant on Branch Lane in Belle Plaine.
Juvenile — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Sarah Street in Birnamwood.
Vandalism — Authorities investigated a mailbox vandalism complaint on Green Valley Road in Green Valley.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Big Lake Road in Red Springs.
Theft — Copper cable was reported stolen on Old W Road in the town of Lessor.
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on County Road M in Pella.
Hit and Run — Authorities investigated a property damage hit-and-run on Poplar Road in Wescott.
Warrant — A 48-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant and charges were referred for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia on state Highway 47-55 in Wescott.
Accidents — Authorities logged four accidents, including one deer-related crash.
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Carol Wagner, Leader Correspondent
Photo by Carol Wagner Leslie Shawanokasic, principal of Menominee Indian High School, presents the Class of 2014 graduates with their diplomas Friday at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena.
Photo by Carol Wagner Menominee High School graduates make their way down the stairs to the Woodland Bowl in Keshena during the school’s annual commencement ceremony Friday.
On a perfect spring evening, 63 graduates of Menominee Indian High School received their diplomas Friday at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena.
After introducing the school’s faculty, Principal Leslie Shawanokasic shared some of their comments about the Class of 2014.
“They take pride in their education,” Shawanokasic said.
“They love participating in their culture,” was another of the comments.
Shawanokasic said the teachers and staff can always be proud that “we played an important part in (the graduates’) lives.”
Superintendent Wendell Waukau reminded the students to take advantage of every educational opportunity that comes their way.
Salutatorian Brandon Reiter, who plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, said his classmates want to work to their full potential, knowing, as the class motto states, “You only live once.”
“Good leaders are always open to ways to improve themselves,” Reiter said. “Do all you can to learn about yourselves and those around you.”
Valedictorian Warren Miller, who plans to attend Lakeland College in Sheboygan, said his high school years have been memorable and enjoyable. He thanked his parents for all they did for him.
“I wish the best of luck to all my classmates,” Miller said.
In addition to Miller and Reiter, the other top students academically were Salix Dobbs, Samantha Awonohopay, Dallas Madosh, Ashley Smith and Lowell Chevalier.
The ceremony ended with a graduation pow-wow.
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Jason Arndt, [email protected]
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Bonduel School District Superintendent Peter Behnke addresses his final graduating class at the high school’s commencement ceremony Friday.
Legacy will be a word forever associated with Bonduel High School’s Class of 2014 — the school’s 75th graduating class and the last class for district Superintendent Peter Behnke.
Behnke announced earlier this year he would retire June 30 after 25 years in Bonduel.
“To the class of 2014, I am very proud to have you as part of my legacy and best wishes for happiness and success,” Behnke said. “May you have a legacy of your own,” Behnke said.
Behnke challenged the seniors at Friday’s commencement to carry on part of his legacy in the future.
“The senior class of 2014 and all of these folks out there … their legacy is moving on and taking the next step and living the legacy day by day,” Behnke said. “If you were asked what your legacy is right here and right now, what would it be?”
In her presentation, Ashley Bergsbaken, class president, thanked Behnke for his years of service.
Bergsbaken, who plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the fall, said she and her classmates possess the skills necessary for a bright future and told them all to remain positive.
“There is no doubt in my mind you will find something in your journey,” Bergsbaken said. “As you start on your own after tonight, I will tell you to have fun, but please, please be safe. Remember to call home once in a while.”
Faculty commencement speaker Luka Zischka said the class is unique and, like Bergsbaken, told them not to forget where they came from.
“From this point, you are adults, do what you choose. But remember who built that foundation for you,” said Zischka, who said he was surprised to be selected by the seniors to speak at commencement.
With tears rolling down her cheeks, valedictorian Mallory Mews, who will attend Marquette University, summarized her classmates’ transition.
“Goodbye to our teachers, goodbye to our friends and goodbye to our high school. And here comes a new beginning,” Mews said. “We may not know what the future holds. … I wish you all the best.”
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Jason Arndt, [email protected]
Shawano School District’s new business manager wants the district to increase its tax levy as much as it can for the 2014-15 budget.
Louise Fischer, who joined the district in April following Gail Moesch’s retirement, told the School Board this week that not levying the maximum amount might placate taxpayers in the short term but hurts the district over time.
The district has not levied the maximum allowed by the state for four straight years, depriving the district of about $2.6 million, Fischer told the board.
The district, for example, levied $12.9 million in 2013-14, about $720,000 below the cap set by the state.
The preliminary budget Fischer presented as on option to the board Monday included a $14.5 million levy, which would translate into a tax rate of about $11.20 per $1,000 of equalized value. Last year’s tax rate was $10.31 per $1,000.
The two main sources of revenue for the district are the property tax levy and state equalization aid.
Fischer’s presentation did not go unchallenged by board members, who noted the change in philosophy.
“Years ago, we were encouraged to save … and now we are told to spend everything we have,” board member Marcia Yeager said.
Fischer said the 91 (of 424 in the state) districts that did not levy the maximum for 2013-14 made a mistake.
“You are penalized for being good stewards of money,” she said. “If you under-levy, you are not maximizing your potential of taxing. It will impact your equalized value and you won’t have as much money to spend.”
She said the two districts where she previously worked as business manager, Lakeland Union High School and Merrill, used maximum levies to bolster reserve funds and to offset declining enrollment.
Fischer said her preliminary budget anticipates slight enrollment growth for Shawano School District, from 2,567 students this year to 2,572 in 2014-15, and lower personnel costs.
Teacher and administrative salaries are expected to drop about $100,000 from the $9.64 million budgeted this year. Fischer said teacher salaries have dropped as less experienced teachers replace retirees at lower salaries.
The district’s insurance costs are expected to increase 8 percent, with employees paying 12.6 percent of the estimated $50,000 increase.
Fischer will continue to work on the budget, with a second draft expected for the board’s June 6 meeting. The board will finalize the budget over the following two months, before the tax levy is presented to voters for approval at the district’s annual meeting in August.
The budget and tax levy are not final, however, until after the official enrollment count, which affects how much state aid the district receives, is taken on the third Friday in September and equalized valuation numbers arrive from the state in October.
Last year, voters at the annual meeting were told the tax rate would remain at $9.95 per $1,000 equalized valuation, but the district’s equalized valuation declined by 2 percent, pushing the tax rate up to $10.31.
The district’s tax rate went from $8.98 per $1,000 of equalized value in 2011 to $9.95 in 2012 and to $10.31 last year, meaning the owner of a home valued at $100,000 paid $898 in school taxes in 2011, $995 in 2012 and $1,031 last year.
The tax rate can vary by individual municipalities, which figure their tax rates on assessed rather than equalized value.
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