Local Antigo Headlines

New management for The Edison Club, a downtown dining and banquet facility, will be discussed when the Antigo Common Council convenes in special session on Tuesday.

Aldermen will meet at 6 p.m. in the chambers at City Hall.

The agenda includes the usual time for citizen comments followed by two items both related to the future of the club, which is owned by the city of Antigo.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

A man arrested last Friday for the 1990 strangling death of Berit Beck was charged this morning. Sixty-one year old Dennis Brantner of Kenosha has an initial appearance scheduled at 3:30 this afternoon in Fond du Lac County Circuit Court. He's charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of the 18-year-old Beck. Authorities said she was strangled in July of 1990, after she was kidnapped while heading from her Racine County home to a computer class in Appleton. Her van was found in a Fond du Lac parking lot two days after she was reported missing, and her body was found six weeks later in rural Fond du Lac County. Court records from last fall showed that Brantner's fingerprints were found on several items in Beck's van. Prosecutors said investigators found more of his prints on March 6th. Also, a person who told police that another man confessed to killing Beck has recanted the story. Officials said Brantner denied killing Beck, but admitted at other times that he couldn't remember what happened. The criminal complaint also lists some of his previous offenses.

Read more: WACD

On Friday afternoon, shortly after 3:30, the Langlade County Dispatch Center received several calls about a fight that witnesses described as gang like on Fred Street in Antigo. People in the area also said they saw a black car and a red truck flee the scene. The red truck was pulled over a short time later at the intersection of Clermont Street and 9th Avenue. Police charged one 17 year old with disorderly conduct, and referred another for the same charge. At least six individuals were involved in the fight.

On Saturday afternoon, Langlade Hospital called sheriffs deputies to report that a woman who was denied narcotics was being verbally abusive to staff. They said she was yelling in front of her children, and was currently in her car, throwing a fit. Police warned the woman about her behavior, and DSS was notified of the incident as well.

On Sunday evening an Antigo woman on 5th Avenue requested officers patrol the back of her house around bar close, because she feared there was a peeping tom lurking around.

Read more: WACD

Years of courtroom experience versus the diversity of legal practice weighed large in a discussion between two judicial candidates who participated in an electoral forum at Volm Theater Thursday.

Attorneys Ralph Uttke and John Rhode are both in the running for a seat as Langlade County’s circuit court judge. The position, which carries a six-year term, will be decided by voters in the April 7 election.

The forum was hosted by the Langlade County Bar Association. Antigo High School provided the student moderator, Nadia Voytovich and panelist Montana Aiuppy, who are both involved in forensics. Other questioners were Drew Kelly of Results Broadcasting and Lisa Haefs of the Antigo Daily Journal.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

A Marshfield man has pleaded innocent to allegations that he stole 46-thousand dollars from local businesses by promising Packer tickets he didn't deliver. Thirty-seven year old Patrick Blachut is charged in Wood County with seven felony counts of theft-by-fraud, and eight similar misdemeanor counts. He's also scheduled to enter a plea next Thursday to a similar felony charge in Eau Claire County. Wood County prosecutors said Blachut told at least 15 business owners he could get Green Bay tickets for them on-or-near the 50-yard line, through past connections with present-and-former Packer players. Authorities said they found some previous connections he had with the team, but no current ones.

Read more: WACD

A suspect in an ear bite attack at an Antigo tavern earlier this week has been arrested.

Police took the 26-year-old into custody at a Superior Street home Wednesday afternoon. He is scheduled to make an appearance in Langlade County Circuit Court later today on various criminal charges including a felony count of battery.

A second male at the residence was also arrested on a charge of obstructing an officer for lying to police about the suspect’s whereabouts.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

A longtime downtown professional building is being reinvigorated, and those using the services it houses may soon feel the same.

Stefanie Tatro and her husband, Joe, have purchased the former Clermont Centre at 612 Clermont St., remodeled it to attract new clients, and renamed it Unique Professions.

“Ideally I would like to enhance the salon/spa type services available,” she said. “Although I welcome any business that would be interested in renting a space. We still have several rooms available and this is a great location for small businesses of any size.”

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

A 22-year-old Weston man is expected to be charged Thursday with child abuse after a 16-month-old child required medical care for second degree burns to his face.

According to a news release from the Everest Metro Police Department, police responded to a Weston hospital for a child that had significant burns to his face from hot water.

Investigators said the child's burns are consistent with intentional immersion of the child's face into hot water.

Read more: WACD

On Wednesday evening the Langlade County Sheriffs Office received a call about a van that was parked on the side of the road on Highway 64. A deputy approached the vehicle and encountered a woman having trouble with her interlock ignition device, given to people convicted of drunk driving. The 73 year old said she was having problems with the vehicle and pulled it to the side of the road and shut off the engine. She then couldnt pass the test to make it start again. She told the officer she had been stranded for two hours.

Read more: WACD

An Antigo man is missing a part of his ear as a result of a fight at a downtown tavern late Tuesday.

The 31-year-old also suffered a broken tooth in the assault and was treated at Langlade Hospital.

The suspect in the attack, a 26-year-old Antigo man, left the scene and as of this morning had not been arrested. He is being referred to the district attorney’s office on multiple charges including inciting mayhem, battery, disorderly conduct, causing criminal damage to property and bail jumping.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

The Antigo school board Tuesday shuffled some budget numbers and, bowing to public concerns, delayed action on any potential cutbacks in the school music program.

The board convened in the high school’s media tech room, a space designed to hold 890 people but overflowing with teachers, parents and students supporting the elementary music program.

The focus of their concerns was the retirement of elementary band director Carol Schafer, and an administrative recommendation not to refill the position as a cost-saving move.

Full story: Antigo Daily Journal

The Antigo School Board held their meeting Tuesday night in front of a full crowd, as dozens came to discourage the board from eliminating the 5th grade band teacher position.

Seven people spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, including students, parents, and band teacher Janet Waterhouse. Carol Schafer will be retiring at the end of the year, and the recommendation by district leaders was to not replace her, and possibly offer the 5th grade band program as an after school activity.

Speakers brought up the success and pride the music program has brought to Antigo, and lamented the feeling that the art programs are always on the cutting block when money needs to be saved. District Administrator Dr. Don Childs stated this move would only change the way the program is run, and not have the dire consequences that were feared by the group.

Read more: WACD

Yesterday, a man on Forrest Avenue called Langlade County Sheriffs Deputies to report that his neighbor once again was doing things near the property line. The dispute of the line has gone on for several years. Dispatch told him all deputies were busy at the time, and they would put the incident on file. Just 6 minutes later, he called back stating his neighbor tried to strike him with a wire, so he pepper sprayed him. They were warned that any further visits by deputies would result in arrests. The caller is being referred for violating a restraining order and battery.

Later that evening, just after 11:30, a bartender from a downtown Antigo bar called to report a fight had just occurred. One patron got into a fight with another while the victim was talking to a female. The 26 year old punched the victim in the face, breaking a tooth, and also bit off a large chunk of his ear.

Read More: WACD

The Langlade County Health Department will host an immunization clinic from 9AM-4PM on Wednesday. Immunization clinics are available to provide childhood immunizations and adult vaccinations. The vaccinations are free to children 2 months - 18 years of age if you have Medical Assistance or no insurance. Adult vaccinations are available some with a minimal fee or FREE if you have Medicare or Badger Care.

Read more: WACD