Shawano Leader News

Shawano Police Department

May 22

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 600 block of East Center Street.

Assist — Police assisted Shawano County sheriff’s deputies with a shoplifting complaint at John’s One-Stop, N5847 State Highway 47-55.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint at Green Bay Street and Airport Drive.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 900 block of Waukechon Street.

Drug Offense — A juvenile was cited for a drug offense at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of Lakeland Road.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 22

Deputies logged 50 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Red Oak Lane in Wittenberg.

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

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile tobacco complaint at Bonduel Middle/High School, 400 W. Green Bay St., in Bonduel.

Shoplifting — Authorities responded to a shoplifting complaint at John’s One-Stop, N5847 State Highway 47-55 in Wescott.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Riverside Drive in Wescott.

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

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Ebert Street in Gresham.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on East Green Bay Street in Bonduel.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a scam complaint on Cypress Road in Richmond.

Fire — Authorities responded to a chimney fire on Crystal Drive in the town of Washington.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents, including two deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

May 22

Police logged five incidents, including the following:

Harassment — Police logged harassment complaints on East 12th Street and East 16th Street.

Theft — A male subject was arrested for retail theft at a South Main Street business.

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Maintaining a drug trafficking place

A Michigan man caught up in a police drug operation in Shawano over the weekend was charged Thursday with maintaining a drug trafficking place for allegedly delivering marijuana out of his vehicle.

Truman D. Hawkins, 45, also faces a felony count of possession with intent to deliver marijuana. The felony counts each carry a maximum possible penalty of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty.

Hawkins in also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Hawkins was arrested in the parking lot of the Brickstone Inn, 622 E. Green Bay St., early Saturday after a confidential informant met him at the bar and arranged a drug transaction, according to the criminal complaint.

Police seized more than 15 grams of marijuana, according to the complaint.

Hawkins was ordered held on a $2,200 bond after a court appearance Thursday. He is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance on June 2.

Seventh-offense OWI

A Gresham man was bound over for trial after a preliminary hearing Monday on a felony charge of seventh-offense operating while intoxicated.

Jay P. Katchenago, 59, was arrested May 14 after authorities responded to a report of a vehicle traveling eastbound in the westbound lane of state Highway 29. He was pulled over after exiting onto County Road MMM.

According to the criminal complaint, Katchenago has five prior convictions for OWI in Shawano County and one in Menominee County.

Katchenago could face a maximum possible 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted.

He was freed Wednesday on a $3,500 bond and is due back in court for a pre-trial conference on July 8.

Burglary

A Bowler man was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges of breaking into the Gresham Utilities building earlier this month and stealing copper wire.

Jason R. Vasquez, 29, could face a maximum 12 1/2 years in prison and $25,000 fine if found guilty. He also faces misdemeanor counts of theft and criminal damage to property.

He is accused of burglarizing the Gresham Utilities building at 700 River St. on May 10. According to the criminal complaint, he was identified by surveillance video.

Vasquez was being held on a $2,500 cash bond.

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Shawano Police Department

May 21

Police logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a disruptive juvenile complaint at Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.

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

Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint at CRI, 117 E. Green Bay St.

Suspicious — Police investigated a suspicious vehicle complaint at Hope Community Baptist Church, 302 Tristan Drive.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle injury accident in front of Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B. A driver who stopped for pedestrians was rear-ended by a 17-year-old Leopolis female who was changing the station on her radio, police said. She was cited for inattentive driving. Both drivers sustained minor head abrasions.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Sacred Heart Catholic School, 302 S. Main St.

Assist — Police assisted the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department with an investigation into a disturbance on state Highway 29 at Broadway Road in Hartland.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 21

Deputies logged 34 incidents, including the following:

Theft — A boat motor was reported stolen on County Road MM in Richmond.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on state Highway 29 at Broadway Road in Hartland.

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

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Kildeer Lane in Aniwa.

Suspicious — Authorities investigated a suspicious vehicle complaint on Airport Drive in Wescott.

OWI — A 60-year-old Wausau woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated on state Highway 29 in Wittenberg.

Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents, including a deer-related crash.

Clintonville Police Department

May 21

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Accident — A property damage accident report was completed after a driver struck a mailbox on Shore Drive.

Burglary — Police investigated a burglary on North Clinton Avenue.

Animal — A quarantine order was served after a dog bite on Garfield Avenue.

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60 set to graduate tonightBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Warren Miller

Warren Miller is a leader at Menominee Indian High School.

He proved it in the classroom, becoming this year’s valedictorian. He proved it on the football field, where he won several awards. He proved it as a mentor of younger students through the Link Crew program.

Although his father Ted’s knee replacement surgery created some adversity for the family, Miller did not let it affect his school commitments.

“I had to help out a lot more during that time, and do stuff he would normally do, by myself, but he is getting better,” said Miller, whose father will undergo another knee replacement surgery in the future.

Miller’s accolades include being named to the honor roll three consecutive years, runner-up on the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s All-Academic team, Player of the Week by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2011 and Northern Lakes Conference honorable mention in 2013.

He was rewarded this year when Lakeland College recruited him to its Sheboygan campus next fall to play football and further his education.

“He was recruited by them and it led to his path toward college,” said Corey Webster, MIHS art and technology teacher.

Miller plans to pursue a degree in sports sciences and give back to the Menominee Nation community.

“I want to be a physical therapist and come back to help people, since my area is not in the best of health,” Miller said.

Miller remains confident in his ability to adjust to life in Sheboygan after spending his entire life in the Menominee area.

“It is going to be tough, but as long as I make friends, I will be fine,” Miller said.

The class’ salutatorian, Brandon Reiter, plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Miller and Reiter are among 60 candidates for graduation who are scheduled to participate in the MIHS’s commencement ceremony Friday.

Graduation candidates are Samantha Awonhopay, Bart Basina Jr., Timothy Bourdon, Brandon Caldwell, Charlotte Caldwell, Lowell Chevalier, Osawanahkwat Chevalier, Richard Corn, Brianna Crow, Deonte Crowe, Michelle Dick, Jeffery Dickenson, Salix Dobbs, Ayesha Dodge, Zoar Doud;

Angel Fish, Anais Franklin, Amanda Heath, Chantz Hernandez, Icele Hill, Beth Julius, Alexandria Kallies, Naeciwat Latender, Austin Lyons, Dallas Madosh, Brittany Maulson, Autumn McPherson, Janice Menchaca, Warren Miller, McKayla Moses;

Joseph Notinokey, Lindsay Nunway, Fallan O’Kimosh, Dylan Oshkeshequoam, Joyce Oshkeshequoam, Mathilda Oshkeshequoam, Kylee Pamonicutt, Brett Pecore Jr., James Pecore, Aaron Penass, Troy Penass-Kaquatosh, Cynthia Peters, Kyle Peters, Nicole Peters, Rosalynn Peters, Austin Peters-Waukau;

Amber Redkettle, Brandon Reiter, Keenan Richmond, Ashley Smith, Miles Tourtillott III, Kelly Turney, Nigel Waupekenay, Kayshia Wayka, Julian Webster, Kyle Winker, Diana Wynos, ShaQuinn Wynos, Carol Zhickkahosee, Sierra Zhuckkahosee.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Menominee Indian High School commencement ceremony

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Woodland Bowl, Keshena

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Joey Awonohopay, director of Menominee Language and Culture of Menominee Nation

CLASS MOTTO: “You only live once.”

TOP STUDENTS: Warren Miller, Brandon Reiter, Salix Dobbs, Samantha Awonohopay, Dallas Madosh, Ashley Smith, Lowell Chevalier

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By: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

There will be plenty of opportunities to rummage for bargains over the Memorial Day weekend in Shawano.

The annual citywide rummage sale, which has proved for more than 20 years that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, kicks off on Friday.

“A lot of people are excited about it every year,” said Patti Peterson, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce tourism manager. “A lot of people are looking forward to it.”

One Smalley Street resident opened her sale Thursday and already had a few afternoon customers.

“I always held rummage sales, just never the citywide one,” said Sandy Cerveny, a Shawano resident for 30 years.

Cerveny said rummage sales are about more than making sales. She also gets to chat with residents she has never met before and out-of-town visitors.

“You get to know a lot of interesting people, that’s for sure,” she said.

According to city ordinance, sales will only be allowed between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. throughout the weekend.

Rummage sale hosts cannot have signs that exceed 8 square feet and can only be up for 72 hours. To minimize distractions for drivers, signs must not be posted near curb lines. They also are not allowed on any city or municipal owned land, including telephone, light and electrical poles.

If you cannot find treasure at the rummage sale, the Shawano Flea Market, on the Shawano County Fairgrounds, will be open Saturday and Sunday.

“Grillologists” Mad Dog and Merrill will share their outdoor grilling tips Sunday at the flea market.

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By: 

Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent

David R. Schuler, of Chicago, has been selected to receive the Alumnus Honoris Award to be presented June 13 at this year’s Clintonville High School graduation ceremony.

Schuler has been superintendent of High School District 214, the second-largest high school system in Illinois, since 2005. The district serves more than 12,000 students in six high schools and four alternative programs in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.

Schuler also is president-elect of the American Association of School Administrators, a national organization representing school superintendents from across the United States and Canada. He just finished his term as president of the Suburban School Superintendents Association. He has been an adjunct professor at Carroll University in Waukesha, the University of Illinois at Chicago and North Park University in Chicago. He is vice president of the board of directors for the Wisconsin American Legion Badger Boys State program.

A 1988 graduate of Clintonville High School, Schuler earned his bachelor’s degree from Carroll University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his doctoral research focused on leadership theory and the building of credible relationships between superintendents and their administrative teams.

He began his career as a social studies teacher, athletic coach, activity adviser and director of athletics and activities before becoming a high school principal and then, in 2000, a superintendent.

The Alumnus Honoris award is given to a graduate of Clintonville or Bear Creek high schools who has gone on to have excelled in his chosen field in a national or worldwide level.

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By: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Duane Carpenter appears in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Wednesday with his attorney, Brian Kinstler, for a hearing at which his 20-year sentence on a charge of kidnapping was vacated.

The death of Duane Carpenter’s estranged wife before she could testify at his trial on a kidnapping charge was the basis for a court ruling Wednesday vacating a 20-year prison sentence handed down in 2004.

Carpenter, 60, had already served his time for two other felony counts in the case and was ordered released from prison.

A jury found Carpenter guilty of forcing his wife, Jodi, from her parents’ home in the town of Waukechon at gunpoint on April 28-29, 2002.

Jodi Carpenter died in 2003 due to complications from heart surgery. Testimony she gave at a preliminary hearing in the case was read to the jury at Duane Carpenter’s trial.

Wednesday’s ruling followed a motion from the state recommending the kidnapping sentence be vacated because of a subsequent U.S. Supreme Court decision that held defendants must be given the right to confront witnesses testifying against them.

That decision was handed down in March 2004, one month after Carpenter’s trial.

The Court of Appeals denied Carpenter’s motion for a review of his case in March 2006. Petitions for a review to the state Supreme Court and federal courts were also denied.

Judge William Kussel Jr., who granted Carpenter’s release Wednesday, had also granted him the right to begin a new appeal in May 2013.

Kussel agreed at that time with defense arguments that Carpenter’s post-conviction counsel was ineffective for not raising the issue of ineffective trial counsel.

Wednesday’s hearing had been expected to be the first hearing in Carpenter’s new appeal process.

Instead, Shawano-Menominee County Assistant District Attorney Catharine White told the court that the Supreme Court ruling in Crawford v. Washington left her no choice but to ask that the kidnapping sentence be struck down.

“I am required by professional ethics to make a motion to vacate the conviction of Mr. Carpenter for the offense of kidnapping,” White said.

The vacated sentenced called for 20 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision.

Carpenter had also been convicted of false imprisonment and being a felon in possession of a handgun. He was sentenced on those counts to two years in prison and two years extended supervision.

He would have completed his prison term on those two charges in 2006 and would have completed extended supervision in 2008.

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By: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

The Shawano School District plans to spend up to $7,000 on new Internet-based software that will help school personnel find substitute teachers more efficiently.

Frontline Technologies’ Aesop system provides 24-hour access, via Internet and phone, to teachers, administrators and substitute teachers.

“It is proactive system which provides teachers with time-off requests, or any other day, and enters it into software where substitutes look for jobs,” district business manager Louise Fischer said. “It will take a vast majority of this responsibility from school secretaries.”

Fischer reported district secretaries spend three to four hours per day trying to find and assist substitute teachers.

More than 3,000 school districts in the U.S. subscribe to the online web portal, according to the company’s website. Prices are based on the number of employees a district puts into the system.

Fischer said other districts she contacted gave Aesop favorable reviews.

“It’s another step in the right direction for the business office,” she said. “Other districts were happy with it.”

Here’s how the system works:

• Administrators can set up preference lists and skill sets for each position. Aesop will try to match potential substitutes with those skill sets. Administrators also can see quickly which teachers are out and who is subbing for them.

• Teachers can call or log on to Aesop to report their absences. Aesop immediately starts searching its database for an available substitute who matches the specified qualifications.

“When teachers go in and request time off, or are sick, they can attach lesson plans and class notes,” Fischer said.

• Subs can search for available assignments anytime they wish. Aesop will also call substitutes based on rules managed by the district.

• The district also can generate various reports, such as employee absenteeism, from the data, which Frontline Technologies stores but the district can access at any time.

The system could produce other cost savings, too.

“A lot of substitute teachers who sub a lot can claim unemployment compensation, and with AESOP we can run them through the database to see if they have declined jobs from us,” Fischer said. “So we can reduce costs of unemployment costs.”

The district has already sent out letters to substitute teachers requesting they register with Aesop.

Fischer noted the downside to the system is that it might be difficult to use for “older and less computer savvy” candidates or teachers.

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BHS senior credits school staff for helping him find his wayBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Michael Donnermeyer

When Michael Donnermeyer’s family relocated from Detroit to Bonduel in 2010, he had no idea where it would lead him.

“The job market in Detroit was a little iffy, so my Mom (Diane) applied everywhere across the county and we landed here,” said Donnermeyer, whose mother works at Plexis in Appleton.

Donnermeyer’s transition from a large city to small village, from leaving old friends to making new ones, from middle school to high school was not easy.

“It was a lot different because I would come to school and people were like, ‘Who was at your house last night?’ Because they just passed your house,” Donnermeyer said. “In Detroit, nobody knows you.”

With support from the Bonduel High School staff and members of the community, the soon-to-be BHS alumni prospered here.

Donnermeyer credited the school staff for helping him through the “culture shock” of moving from Detroit, population 700,000, to Bonduel, population 1,400.

“Before I came here, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” he said. “Over many conversations and activities, it narrowed my path and determined what I wanted to do.”

Donnermeyer, who plans to attend Northern Michigan University and study engineering and technologies, will be among the 72 graduation candidates who cross the stage Friday at BHS’s annual commencement ceremony.

During his high school career, he became involved in many school activities, including FFA and forensics.

In addition, he also gave back to the school community as a member of the Link Crew — a group of upperclassmen who help students transition to high school.

“He is a well respected student around here, and an all-around really nice guy that takes care of his business,” guidance counselor Bev Pleshek said.

Leading the Class of 2014 at graduation will be valedictorian Mallory Mews and salutatorian Jacob Luepke. Ashley Bergsbaken, class president, also will speak at the ceremony, as will history teacher Luka Zischka, the faculty commencement speaker selected by the students.

Mews plans to attend Marquette University in Milwaukee to pursue a career in medicine. Luepke plans to study business at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Class President Ashley Bergsbaken plans to attend UW-LaCrosse.

The candidates for graduation are Kristin Allen, Lloyd Allen, Ian Alverio, Samantha Bahr, Christian Behnke, Ashley Bergsbaken, Jonathon Bessette, Kristen Brusky, Sabrina Alex-Kennedy Brzezinski, Stephanie Calaway, Lucas Capelle, John Carpenter, Sarah Cary, Brenna Castellion, Dameon Dennison, Laura Doell, Michael Donnermeyer, Ryan Dordel, Caleb Dowling, Kyle Fischer, Eric Godin, Adam Gunderson, Jeremy Harris, Kyle Hauschultz, Dalton Heim, Matthew Heindel, Amber Heller, Morgan Huehnerfuss, Dorothy Jensen, De Coteau Mary Marie Klemens, Austin Krueger;

Robert Leisgang Jr., Jeremiah Letter, Joshua Liesner, Jacob Luepke, Jakob Mastey, Ryan Mathew, Heather McClone, Mallory Mews, Amber Myers, Chloe Nolan, Zackery Olsen, Isaac Palmer, Wyatt Pues, Robert Radtke, Bryce Robaidek, Alexander Roffers, Courtney Schmidt, Greggory Shafer, Benjamin Shoup, Michaela Shullaw, Alex Sievert, Frank Skarlupka, Leah Smith, Morgan Sorenson, Daykota Spaulding, MaKenzie Stoss, India Tauchen, Matthew Thorne, Andrew VanRite, Brandon Wagester, Dana Wallace, Meggan Ward, Christian Wilber, Jacob Wudtke, Lindsay Wudtke, Jacob Zeitler, Alexandra Zepeda-Solorio, Zachary Zernicke.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Bonduel High School commencement ceremony

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Bonduel High School gymnasium, 400 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel

CLASS MOTTO: “It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re seventeen and planning for someday, and then quietly without you ever really noticing, someday is today, and that someday is yesterday and this is your life.” — Nathan Scott

CLASS FLOWER: White rose tipped with blue

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Shawano Police Department

May 20

Police logged 33 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

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

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person at the intersection of Main and Fifth streets.

Vandalism — Police responded to a report of a home shot by paint balls in the 400 block of East Center Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle at the intersection of Northridge Drive and Alpine Court.

Harassment — Police investigated a complaint about harassment of a juvenile through text messaging and Facebook in the 1300 block of East Lieg Avenue.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 20

Deputies logged 48 incidents, including the following:

Harassment — Deputies responded to a complaint of harassment through use of computer on Lake Drive in Shawano.

Theft — A tackle box and gas can were reported stolen on County Road A in Shawano.

Suspicious — Deputies responded to a report of two suspicious vehicles on County Road A in Gresham.

Assist — Deputies assisted Shawano police on a shoplifting complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., in Shawano.

Theft — Deputies investigated an incident of a stolen rear license plate on Valley Road in Bonduel.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious female running along Zion Road in Tigerton.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a verbal altercation on Derby Lane in Cecil.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person a County Road A in Gresham.

Animal — Deputies responded to a complaint of a vicious dog attacking horses on Birch Lane in Marion.

Suspicious — Deputies responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle on Country Lane in Cecil.

Accidents — Authorities responded to two deer-related accidents.

Clintonville Police Department

May 20

Police logged 9 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a disruptive juvenile on South Clinton Avenue.

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

Suspicious — Police responded to a report of a suspicious person on South Main Street.

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St. James effort comes up shortBy: 

Leader Staff

St. Paul Lutheran School in Bonduel is among 26 schools statewide chosen to benefit from taxpayer funding next school year through Wisconsin’s statewide choice program.

St. James Lutheran School in Shawano fell a few applications short of the cut.

State law mandates that only the 25 private schools and school systems that received the most eligible applications are able to participate in the random drawing for the additional voucher slots. Due to a tie in the number of eligible applications at the 25th spot, there will be 26 private schools and school systems included in the random drawing.

St. Paul had 62 applicants.

Roncalli High School in Manitowoc and Sheboygan Christian School tied at the bottom with 57.

St. James finished just a few shy, with 54 eligible applicants out of 69.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited,” said St. Paul Principal Gerald Schmidt, who said the voucher program would help fulfill the school’s mission of making Christian education available to people in Bonduel.

“It’s a great opportunity to make Jesus Christ available to the community in Bonduel and outreaching areas,” he said.

In addition to traditional curriculum, the school emphasizes what Schmidt said was “faith foundation and character development.”

Faith foundation, he said, gives students “an opportunity to develop a personal relationship with God, spiritual growth and active involvement in the Christian community.”

Though some quarters have taken issue with spending tax dollars for religious teaching as a violation of the separation of Church and State, Schmidt said he saw nothing inappropriate.

“If it weren’t for nonpublic schools, the cost of public education would be much higher,” he said.

The school will get 10 vouchers, but the number is flexible. It can include only 1 percent of students from the Bonduel School District, but Schmidt said there are also applicants from the Shawano, Pulaski and Gillett school districts.

Susan Longmire, principal at St. James, said she was disappointed not to make the final cut, though the school was “darn close.”

“We were just under the wire,” she said. “We worked as hard as we could.”

Longmire said there was a “real need in the community” for such religion-based options.

“We’ll try again next year,” she said.

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Fourth case under investigationBy: 

Tim Ryan, [email protected]

A Shawano police drug detail over the weekend at several city taverns netted the referral of drug charges against three people, including a felony charge against a Bowler man.

Police used a confidential informant wired for sound to arrange drug transactions with patrons at four establishments. One of the cases was still under investigation.

The operation started just after 10:30 p.m. Friday at Billy’s, 1100 S. Main St., when the confidential informant made contact with a male subject later identified as Brett A. Miller, 34, of Bowler.

Police monitored the conversation in which the informant arranged to get cocaine from Miller, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court.

Miller and the informant went to Miller’s vehicle in the parking lot where Miller allegedly passed 0.03 grams of cocaine to the informant.

Miller was then taken into custody without incident.

Police followed that shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday with a similar operation at the Brickstone Inn, 622 E. Green Bay St.

Charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia have been referred against a 45-year-old Michigan man in connection with that incident.

Shortly after 2 a.m., a similar effort at Hensel’s Shawano Inn, 134 S. Washington St., resulted in the arrest of a 22-year-old Shawano man on a charge of obstructing an officer, which has been referred to the district attorney’s office. He was also issued ordinance citations for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

About 2:30 a.m., police continued the operation at Headquarters, 121 S. Washington St. That case was still under investigation, according to Capt. Jeff Heffernon.

Heffernon said the operation — known as “barcrafting,” in which, he said, authorities “work the bars” — was part of the department’s enhanced efforts toward dealing with illegal drugs in the city.

“This was a fruitful effort,” Heffernon said.

The Shawano Common Council last year authorized an additional $25,000 in the budget directed to anti-drug operations.

Miller was ordered held Monday on a $1,500 cash bond after an appearance before Judge William Kussel Jr. and is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Tuesday.

Miller could face 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if convicted.

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By: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Jamie Awonohopay, front, was honored as a member of the Native American Woman Warriors during the Menominee Nation pow-wow Sunday at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena. Awonohopay is a 1995 Menominee Indian High School graduate.

Shawano resident Jamie Awonohopay, who served in the Army Reserves from 1996-2002, was among the members of the Native American Women Warriors participating in the Menominee Nation pow-wow for the first time Saturday and Sunday.

The NAWW was founded in 2010 in Florida to bring attention to women serving in the armed forces, especially Native American women.

“Just by being part of it is an honor,” Awonohopay said. “It’s a good opportunity to raise awareness of women in the military, especially Menominee women.”

She marched alongside NAWW founder and Army veteran Mitcheline Bigman, of Colorado, and Sarah Baker, of Oklahoma, who served in the Marines, during Sunday’s grand entry.

“This is the first year they have attended a Gathering of Warriors pow-wow here in Keshena,” arena director John Teller Jr. said. “They honor us with their presence and honor the women who served in the military.”

Awonohopay joined the Army Reserves after graduating from Menominee Indian High School. While serving, she was in the Secret Service Uniformed Division, guarding facilities in Washington, D.C.

She moved back to the area in 2008 and is employed at the Community Resource Center in Keshena.

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Shawano Police Department

May 19

Police logged 28 incidents, including the following:

Reckless Driving — Police responded to a reckless driving complaint on state Highway 47-55.

Animal — Police responded to a complaint of a dead rabbit hanging from a fence and causing a strong odor in the 1100 block of South Weed Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Green Bay Street and Fairview Avenue.

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

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at Zingler Avenue and Lincoln Street.

Juvenile Police logged three truancy complaints from the Shawano School District.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 19

Deputies logged 33 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Cecil Street in Bonduel.

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

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

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on County Road E in Green Valley.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Springbrook Road in the town of Washington.

Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents, including injury accidents in Maple Grove and Wittenberg and one deer-related crash.

Clintonville Police Department

May 19

Police logged 12 incidents, including the following:

Accident — Officer assisted Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control on County Road D at Swamp Road while a vehicle in the ditch was removed.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint on East 12th Street.

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Shawano Police Department

May 18

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — A young girl reported missing in the 600 block of South Union Street was found by her mother before police arrived.

Disturbance — A 23-year-old man was arrested for domestic violence-related disorderly conduct after police responded to a report of a fight in progress at Lincoln Street and County Road B.

May 17

Police logged 19 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A male subject was taken into custody for a probation violation after a suspicious incident in the 400 block of South Union Street.

Vandalism — Tires were reported slashed on a vehicle at Main Street and Zingler Avenue.

Suspicious — Police investigated a suspicious person complaint in the 200 block of South Union Street involving a male subject who got into a van and frightened a 9-year-old child. The man was described as a white male in his late 40s to early 50s wearing a camouflage jacket and baseball cap.

May 16

Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious circumstances complaint in the 1300 block of East Green Bay Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Hardee’s, 1120 E. Green Bay St.

Burglary — Police investigated a burglary in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Theft — A bike was reported stolen in the 100 block of Acorn Street.

Warrant — A 25-year-old man was arrested on a warrant on Aspen Court.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

May 18

Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:

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

Fire — Authorities responded to a vehicle fire on state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Oak Drive in Wescott.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Rew Lane in Aniwa.

May 17

Deputies logged 40 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Lake Drive in Wescott.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on Hilgenberg Court in Pella.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Range Line Road in the town of Herman.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Spruce Road in Belle Plaine

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at the North Star Casino, W12222 County Road A, in Gresham.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on state Highway 29 in the town of Morris.

May 16

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Fire — A wood shed was reported burning on River Road in Hartland.

Fraud — Authorities investigated a fraud complaint on state Highway 29 in Hartland.

Warrant — A 32-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant on South Street in Bonduel.

Accidents — Authorities logged five accidents, including three deer-related crashes.

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Leader Photo by Greg Mellis
Leader Photo by Greg Mellis The Smokeytown Singers were among the participants in a groundbreaking ceremony Monday celebrating the $8 million expansion project at Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena. Speakers at the program included Jim Reiter, MCR general manager; Laurie Boivin, tribal chairwoman; Crystal Chapman-Chevalier, chairwoman of the Menominee Indian Gaming Authority; Craig Aderhold, Wisconsin Bank & Trust; Dave Voss, president, Miron Construction; and Mohammed Lawal, LSE Architects Inc.

CASINO EXPANSION: Veterans of Menominee Nation post the colors Monday at a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the $8 million expansion project at Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena. The expansion will connect the casino with the convention center. The 25,000-square-foot addition will feature a gaming floor and retail center. The project should be completed by late fall.

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By: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Dancers perform during the Gathering of Warriors grand entry Sunday at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena.

Five Menominee Nation code talkers were honored Sunday during the 25th annual Gathering of Warriors pow-wow presented by the Veterans of the Menominee Nation at the Woodland Bowl in Keshena.

In November, the Menominee and 24 other tribes received congressional gold medals to honor the code talkers, who used their native language to transmit secret messages in World War II, during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Along with blankets, silver duplicates of the gold medal given to the tribe were presented Sunday to families of the five deceased code talkers: Dan Waupoose, John C. O’Katchekum, Mose Wausakokamick, Dave Mathapotow and William Matchapatow.

“These code talkers are truly heroes in our nation,” Warren Wilbur, commander of the Veterans of the Menominee Nation, told the crowd of hundreds.

One side of the medal depicts a code talker using communication equipment while three P-51 Mustangs fly overhead. Inscriptions are Menominee code talkers and Omaeqnomenew kemoc keketotatowak, which translates to “Menominee secretly talk to each other.”

The other side features the thunderbird, which is the center element of the Menominee Nation seal; the five clans (bear, eagle, wolf, moose and crane), a sturgeon and wild rice. The Menominee Nation is known for its reliance on wild rice and its reverence for sturgeon. Inscriptions are World War II and Act of Congress 2008.

Laurie Boivin, Menominee tribal chairperson, explained the importance of the code talkers honored at the ceremony.

Because of the secret and important nature of their work, the code talkers were assigned special bodyguards in order to protect them and military secrets, Boivin said.

“The security detail ordered the bodyguards to kill (the code talkers) in event they believed they would be captured,” she said. “So today we are honoring their families.”

Following discharge from World War II, code talkers were sworn to secrecy by the federal government. The order was not lifted until the 1980s.

Boivin credited Wilbur for his efforts in getting members of Menominee code talkers honored for the first time.

“It was quite challenging research and he did not stop working,” said Boivin, who indicated personnel information of the five honorees is not precise due to secrecy and incomplete records.

The code talkers originated in World War I with the Apache tribe. In addition to the tribes honored in November, eight other tribes will receive their medals at a later date. Navajo code talkers were honored nearly a decade ago.

Legislation authorizing creation of the medals passed in 2008. The bill credited code talkers with saving countless lives by their ability to transmit secret battlefield messages in seconds, compared to a coding machine, which would have taken at least 30 minutes to send the same messages.

Enemy forces never broke the code.

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Shot fired, no one injuredBy: 

Leader Staff

A Shawano man is facing a felony charge of reckless endangerment for firing a gun in his apartment Thursday night.

Ryan J. McGeshick, 28, could face a maximum 12 1/2 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if found guilty. He is also charged with a felony count of second-offense possession of marijuana, which carries a possible maximum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Police responded just before 11 p.m. to reports of shots fired at an apartment complex in the 800 block of South Kadletz Street. It was later determined only one shot was fired. No one was injured in the incident.

McGeshick was spotted coming out of the apartment building when police arrived and was taken into custody without incident.

Police seized a .40 caliber handgun from McGeshick that had been tucked into the back of his waist band, according to the criminal complaint.

During a search of his apartment, police also found a burnt marijuana joint on the kitchen counter, according to the complaint.

A neighbor who reported the incident told police he had heard McGeshick having an argument with someone, presumably on the phone, when the shot was fired.

McGeshick was also charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and carrying a concealed weapon.

He was ordered held on a $3,500 cash bond after an initial appearance Friday before Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr.

McGeshick is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Monday.

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By: 

Kevin Murphy, Leader Correspondent

A Keshena man who had sexual contact with a minor while in bed with his sleeping wife was recently sentenced in federal court in Green Bay to 3 1/2 years in prison to be followed by 10 years supervised release.

Leslie A. Miller, 50, had previously pleaded guilty to abusive sexual contact with a person under 12 years. The incident occurred between Nov. 1, 2012, and Feb. 20, 2013.

According to court documents, Miller and his wife frequently babysat a 10-year-old girl. Miller was watching a movie in bed with the girl while his wife slept.

Miller admitted he touched the girl’s genitals but on top of her clothing. The girl maintained Miller touched her underneath her underwear.

Miller was indicted in June while he was in tribal custody for violation probation on an unrelated offense, Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Whittemore said.

Whittemore and Miller’s attorney, Krista Halla-Valdes, initially recommended a four-year sentence, but Halla-Valdes then requested a year’s reduction, which was equal to the time Miller had been in tribal custody.

Whittemore objected to the request because Miller spent that time in custody on a tribal offense.

District Judge William Griesbach split the difference, Whittemore said.

In Miller’s defense, Halla-Valdes wrote the court that this was Miller’s first serious conviction. Also, there was no force or violence involved in the one-time occurrence, and although he did not immediately stop when the girl told him to, Miller quit touching quickly after it began, Halla-Valdes wrote.

Drug and alcohol abuse has been a “common theme” to all Miller’s criminal behavior, Halla-Valdes wrote. Miller drank and at certain points used cocaine daily, spending up to $1,000 per week, while married to his first wife.

Married to Annette Miller since 2010, Miller has had “a much better, more mature relationship,” Halla-Valdes wrote.

Miller has always been employed as a heavy equipment operator and has begun to focus on some mental health issues that underlie his excessive drinking, she wrote.

“With the support of his family and (an Alcoholics Anonymous) sponsor with whom he has already established regular contact, Mr. Miller is ready to become a productive and positive sober member of society again,” Halla-Valdes wrote in a pre-sentence memo to the court.

Miller has been in federal custody since Feb. 7. He began serving his sentence after it was imposed on April 15.

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Menominee County authorities released information Friday about a motorcycle accident May 10 that claimed the life of an Appleton man.

The Menominee County Sheriff’s Department said Dale R. Weber, 66, was traveling north on State Highway 55 when he lost control of his motorcycle and left the road.

The Sheriff’s Department, Menominee Tribal Police, Menominee EMS, Keshena, Middle Village, Neopit and South Branch Fire Departments all responded to the call.

The four fire departments set up and secured the landing zone for ThedaStar, which also responded.

“Sheriff Robert Summers would like to express his sympathy to the family and extend his appreciation to all departments that responded with this incident,” Menominee County Public Information Officer Lisa Wilson said in a news release.

No other information was available.

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