A woman was killed in a head-on crash with a tanker truck early Monday, the Shawano Police Department said.

The accident took place on Airport Road at Beauprey Road just after 6 a.m. after the woman’s southbound vehicle crossed the center line due to icy conditions and veered into the path of a truck that was carrying road sand, Police Chief Mark Kohl said.

Information about the woman was not being released Monday morning pending notification of next of kin.

The crash closed down Airport Road in both directions from Richmond Street to County Road B.

A 38-year-old Antigo man is in custody in Shawano County Jail after leading authorities on a high-speed chase Friday night.

Charges are being referred to the district attorney’s office for fleeing an officer, possession of heroin, possession of meth, possession of marijuana, possession of narcotics, possession of controlled substances and operating after revocation.

The chase started in Shawano County after authorities received an anonymous tip that a man wanted by authorities in Antigo was seen at a store in Wittenberg, according to the sheriff’s report.
The man allegedly fled from an attempted traffic stop on Genesee Street shortly before 10 p.m.

The roughly 10-minute chase ended in Marathon County after the man crashed his vehicle and fled on foot. He was taken into custody about 10:20 p.m.

It may not measure up to the "groundhog blizzard" of 2011, but a strong winter storm moving into Wisconsin is expected to pack a punch.

Forecasters say a large swath of the Badger State, from the southwest to the northeast, will see 8 to 12 inches of snow.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for much of the state beginning Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning. Northwestern Wisconsin is expected to see 3 to 6 inches of snow with 2 to 4 inches in the southeast.

In 2011, nearly 19 inches of snow fell at Madison from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS/DELAYS

(After-school activities also canceled.)

Bonduel public-private

Bowler

Clintonville public-private

Gresham

Marion

Menominee Indian

Menominee Tribal

Pulaski

Shawano public-private

Tigerton

Wittenberg-Birnamwood

Gillett: Closing at noon

Wittenberg-Birnamwood

OTHER CLOSINGS & CANCELLATIONS

Cardiac Pulmonary Get Fit/Stay Fit classes at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano, Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning
Shawano Memory Cafe

Menominee Indian Head Start (teachers/staff still report)

Marion Wellness Center

Clintonville Recreation Center

Clintonville Public Library

City of Clintonville has declared a snow emergency beginning at noon Tuesday and continuing through noon Wednesday. During this time, parking will be prohibited on all city streets.

Shawano Police Department

Jan. 31

Police logged 16 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 74-year-old woman was taken into custody on a warrant in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint in the 400 block of Riverside Drive.

Vandalism — Police responded to a vandalism complaint at Peace United Church, 208 E. Maurer St.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a domestic disturbance in the 200 block of East Center Street.

Jan. 30

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 20-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant after a traffic stop at Fairview Avenue and Green Bay Street.

Warrant — A 41-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant after a traffic stop at Richmond and Andrews streets.

Vandalism — A truck was reported vandalized in the 200 block of Alpine Drive.

Shoplifting — A 20-year-old man was charged with theft after fleeing a shoplifting incident at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Shoplifting — Police responded to a shoplifting complaint at Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported two female shoplifters in custody.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 700 block of South Union Street.

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

Jan. 29

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Theft — Police investigated a theft complaint in the 700 block of South Main Street.

Warrant — A 51-year-old man was taken into custody on a warrant in the 1100 block of South Lafayette Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Olga Brener Intermediate School, 1300 S. Union St.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint on Kleeman Court.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 700 block of South Union Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Jan. 31

Deputies logged 45 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress on First Street in Aniwa.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Wood Lane in the town of Lessor.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Hofa Park Drive in the town of Maple Grove.

Disturbance — Charges of disorderly conduct and a probation violation were referred against a 25-year-old Gresham man after a domestic disturbance on Beauleau Lake Road in the town of Red Springs.

Accidents — Authorities logged 12 accidents, including four deer-related crashes.

Jan. 30

Deputies logged 34 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Wood Avenue in Wittenberg.

Disturbance — A charge of disorderly conduct was referred against a 37-year-old Wittenberg man after a domestic disturbance on Grand Avenue in Wittenberg.
Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Birch Street in Birnamwood.

Accidents — Authorities responded to an injury accident on County Road M in Pella and logged four deer-related crashes.

Jan. 29

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Sunset Circle in the town of Wescott.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a report of a burglary on Lake Crest Drive in the town of Wescott.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Bonduel Elementary School, 404 W. Mill St., Bonduel.

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

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

Snowplow operators and other emergency crews in Shawano County say they are ready to manage a snowstorm that arrived here Tuesday afternoon and is expected to dump perhaps a foot of snow over the next 24 hours.

Police in Bonduel were checking on senior citizens known to have health issues to make sure those folks were comfortable and ready to ride out the storm at home.

“We try and stay connected with them,” Police Chief Todd Chaney said.

Public works crews and law enforcement said they had their equipment at the ready and could call in additional manpower if needed when the storm hits.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Capt. Tom Tuma said officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay off the roads if travel becomes too hazardous.

Tuma, however, also said officials could bring on additional manpower, if necessary, to handle a potential rash of weather-related traffic mishaps.

“It’s all based on what we’re seeing out there,” he said.

The National Weather Service has forecast that a large winter storm moving through the Midwest would bring between 8 and 12 inches of snow to areas of Wisconsin between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.

It would be the first major snowfall of the season for Shawano County since a storm dumped 10 inches here on Dec. 28 and 29.

“It’s going to be a significant storm, and people need to take precautions,” said Natalie Easterday, director of emergency management for Shawano County.

In Shawano, city public works crews were preparing to start snowplow operations Tuesday afternoon to make sure evening commuters have clear thoroughfares to make it home after work.

Public Works Director Eddie Sheppard said those crews then would return to the streets after midnight to clear travel for the Wednesday morning commute. The city has nine snowplows, plus front-end loaders and other equipment used in snow removal operations.

“We will get out there,” Sheppard said, “and we will stay out there.”

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 1

Police logged 30 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 21-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Picnic and Weed streets.

Accident — Police responded to a fatal traffic crash at Beauprey Road and Airport Road.

Arrest — A male subject was taken into custody at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

OWL — An 18-year-old male was cited for third offense operating without a license at Prairie and Washington streets.

Shoplifting — Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., reported a shoplifting incident.

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

Arrest — A 24-year-old man was taken into custody at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

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

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 1

Deputies logged 42 incidents, including the following:

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Red River Road in the town of Herman.

Disturbance — A 35-year-old West Allis man was arrested for disorderly conduct after a disturbance on state Highway 47-55 in the town of Wescott.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on County Road Y in the town of Belle Plaine.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Spruce Road in the town of Belle Plaine.

Clintonville Police Department

Feb. 1

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police checked on a suspicious incident on East 12th Street.

Juvenile — A bullying complaint at the middle school was under investigation.

Suspicious — Police checked on a suspicious incident on West Street.

Shawano police have released the name of the woman killed in a head-on crash with a tanker truck early Monday.

Cinda L. Engebretson, 61, of the town of Wescott, was southbound on Airport Road at Beauprey Road just after 6 a.m. when she lost control of her vehicle due to icy road conditions and crossed the centerline, the Police Department said.

She veered into the path of a tanker truck that was carrying road sand and was struck head-on. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tanker truck belonged to Green Lake-based Freight Lime and Sand Hauling and was driven by a 43-year-old Markesan man, who was not injured.

The crash closed down Airport Road in both directions from Richmond Street to County Road B on Monday morning.

Charges of fleeing an officer and numerous counts of drug possession have been filed against an Antigo man after a high-speed chase in Shawano County on Friday night.

Romeao M. Cavitt, 38, allegedly fled from an attempted traffic stop at Genesee Street and state Highway 29 shortly before 10 p.m.

Shawano County authorities received an anonymous tip that a man wanted by authorities in Antigo was seen at a store in Wittenberg driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to the criminal complaint.

A sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle leaving the store parking lot.

When the deputy tried pulling the vehicle over, it sped off, starting a chase that continued into Marathon County at speeds in excess of 100 mph, according to the complaint.

The vehicle crashed in a wooded area and the driver fled into the woods on foot.

Marathon County authorities, the Everest Metro Police Department K-9 unit and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources assisted in tracking the suspect through the snow-covered woods in a foot chase that crossed two barb-wire fences and ice-covered creeks and streams.

The driver, later identified as Cavitt, according to the complaint, was found hiding in an enclosed raised hunting stand.

According to the complaint, authorities also found plastic baggies of various drugs that had been dropped near the vehicle.

The bags contained 3.4 grams of marijuana, 7.7 grams of heroin and 4.5 grams of methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

Cavitt could face a maximum 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each of the felony counts charged against him — fleeing an officer, second or subsequent offense possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, and two counts of possession of narcotics drugs.

He was ordered held on a $3,500 cash bond and was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday.

A Shawano man wanted for bail jumping while out on bond in connection with a shooting incident in the city was back in custody and in court Tuesday for an initial appearance on the new charge.

Authorities allege that Andrew E. Thomas, 28, was involved in a disorderly conduct incident in the city on Jan. 15 in violation of the conditions of his bond.

According to the criminal complaint, Thomas allegedly attacked a 31-year-old man with a baseball bat in the 300 block of West Richmond Street.

An arrest warrant on a felony bail jumping charge was issued last week.

According to a sheriff’s report, Thomas turned himself in at the Shawano County Jail on Monday evening.

Shawano-Menominee County Assistant District Attorney Catharine White noted that the bail jumping incident came the week after Andrews allegedly exchanged gunfire with another man in the city.

“A week later he goes and beats somebody up with a baseball bat,” she told the court. “Mr. Thomas is showing himself to be a real danger to this community.”

White asked the court for a $20,000 cash bond.

Defense attorney Aaron Schenk requested a smaller bond, noting that Thomas had turned himself in.

He also sought to cast doubt on the alleged disorderly conduct incident, calling it “fishy” and “dubious at best,” and noting that the supposed victim in the case has not come forward.

White told the court that the man who was beaten with the bat also had a warrant for his arrest at the time and was not cooperating. However, she said, there were two witnesses to the incident.

Judge James Habeck kept Thomas’ bond at the $11,000 amount he set when the arrest warrant was issued last week.

A preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 12 for this case and the original complaint, in which Thomas is facing charges of reckless endangerment for an alleged exchange of gunfire with Tony J. Brunker, 23, of Shawano, on Jan. 4.

The two men are accused of firing weapons at one another after an altercation at a local bar continued into the 600 block of East Richmond Street.

Brunker pleaded not guilty last week to a felony count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and operating a firearm while intoxicated.

He posted a $10,000 cash bond and was due back in court for a pre-trial conference March 8.

Thomas faces two counts of recklessly endangering safety, one for for his alleged part in the shooting incident and another for allegedly pointing a handgun at a bartender who was trying to break up the initial disturbance, according to the criminal complaint.

Recklessly endangering safety carries a maximum possible penalty of 12½ years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

In addition to the felony bail jumping charge, which carries a maximum possible penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, Thomas is charged with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct with the use of a dangerous weapon.

Contenders for Shawano mayor will present their visions for the future of the city and outline their priorities at a candidates forum Monday.

The forum starts at 7 p.m. in the Shawano Community High School auditorium, 220 County Road B. Chuck Dallas, will serve as moderator. The six candidates will take questions from Shawano Leader and WTCH reporters.

Audience members will also have an opportunity to submit questions for the candidates: Rich Belongia, Jeanne Cronce, Kasey Hohn, Jim Oberstein, Brian Retzlaff and Sandy Steinke.

A Feb. 16 primary will narrow the choices down to the two who will be on the spring election ballot on April 5.

Incumbent Mayor Lorna Marquardt is not seeking another two-year term.

The forum is being sponsored by Wolf River Media, the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce and Results Broadcasting.

A winter storm walloped the Shawano area Tuesday in the middle of the workday, closing schools, snarling traffic and prompting businesses to send employees home early.

Snow began falling shortly after noon, and conditions worsened quickly enough that businesses began shutting down within a couple of hours.

Officials at school districts in Shawano and Menominee counties had already canceled classes for the day, as forecasters warned of a strong storm approaching.

“It got bad fast,” said Jason Reed, facilities manager for Cooperative Resources International, which sent employees home shortly after the lunch hour.

The National Weather Service reported accumulations of 5 to 6 inches in the Shawano region within the first two hours after the storm hit.

“It came down fast and furious,” said Roy Eckberg, a meteorologist at the weather service station in Green Bay.

Eckberg said the snow was expected to taper off Tuesday night, but another round of snowfall was possible starting early Wednesday morning. Forecasters predicted final accumulations of 8 to 12 inches.

It was the first major winter weather event in the area since a storm dumped 10 inches here Dec. 28-29.

Police officials had cautioned motorists to stay off the roads as Tuesday’s storm approached, but several traffic mishaps were reported after travel conditions deteriorated in the afternoon.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department reported five traffic accidents within the first 90 minutes of the storm. Details of the incidents were not immediately available.

Sheriff’s Capt. Tom Tuma said officials could bring on additional manpower, if necessary, to handle weather-related traffic mishaps.

“It’s all based on what we’re seeing out there,” Tuma said.

The storm also forced the closing of the Shawano Recreation Center, Clintonville Recreation Center, Clintonville Public Library and Menominee County government offices, among other facilities and activities.

In Bonduel, police officers knocked on doors to check the well-being of senior citizens known to have health problems, making sure those residents were prepared for the coming storm.

“We try and stay connected with them,” Police Chief Todd Chaney said.

Shawano city public works crews planned to start clearing streets Tuesday afternoon to make sure travelers could make it home for the night. Those crews then would return to the streets after midnight to clear travel for the Wednesday morning commute, Shawano Public Works Director Eddie Sheppard said.

The city has nine snowplows, plus front-end loaders and other equipment used in snow removal operations.

“We will get out there,” Sheppard said, “and we will stay out there.”

As the storm worsened Tuesday afternoon, many businesses shut down early to allow employees to get home.

At the Gentleman’s Quarter clothing store in downtown Shawano, store manager Mark Rindt said there was no reason to stay open, as the storm caused shoppers to scatter and downtown became deserted.

“There’s nobody around,” Rindt said. “Everybody’s staying home.”

WEDNESDAY SCHOOL CLOSINGS/DELAYS

Bonduel public-private (opening 2 hours late - no morning pre-K/early childhood)

Sacred Heart - Shawano (opening 2 hours late - no morning pre-K/early childhood)

Shawano Public Schools (opening 2 hours late - no morning pre-K/early childhood)

Menominee Indian School District: (opening 2 hours late)

Menominee Tribal School (opening 2 hours late)

Clintonville schools (opening 2 hours late)

Marion (opening 2 hours late; no morning 4-K)

Wolf River Lutheran (opening 2 hours late)

Pulaski (opening 2 hours late; no morning 4-K

Gillett (closed)

OTHER CLOSINGS & CANCELLATIONS

Cardiac Pulmonary Get Fit/Stay Fit classes at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano

Menominee Indian Head Start (opening 2 hours late)

Menominee Tribal Day Care (opening 2 hours late)

Menominee Tribal Senior Centers: Opening 2 hours late Wednesday - Home meals delivered 2 hours late Wednesday

Menominee County offices (opening at 10 a.m.)

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 2

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Alarm — A resident reported a carbon monoxide alarm sounding in an apartment in the 1100 block of South Main Street.

Disturbance — A domestic incident with three people shouting at one another was reported in a residence in the 800 block of South River Street.

Sex offender — A caller reported an unregistered convicted sex offender living in a residence in the 100 block of South Andrews Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 2

Deputies logged 35 incidents, including the following:

Noise — Bystanders reported a loud explosion sound that shook houses on Cozy Oaks Circle in the town of Wescott.

Theft — A theft of advertising materials was reported at Little Star Convenience Store, W12140 County Road A, Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation.

Assist — Deputies assisted an ambulance responding to a 15-year-old girl having an allergic reaction at Pathways, W18105 Hemlock Road, Wittenberg.

Clintonville Police Department

Feb. 2

Police logged six incidents, including the following:

Juveniles — Police issued warnings to juveniles for multiple 911 calls from a deactivated cellphone on East Second Street.

Disorderly — A disorderly conduct incident was reported on Eighth Street.

The public was absent Wednesday from a public hearing on the city’s plans to expand a Tax Incremental Finance district along East Green Bay Street.

The Shawano Plan Commission voted to recommend amending the TIF district to include the Shawano Plaza so that financial assistance can be provided for a remodeling of the vacant space previously occupied by Kmart.

The amendment also added several other properties along East Green Bay Street that were not previously included, raising the total assessed valuation of the district by about $7.5 million to $36 million.

Sporting goods chain Dunham’s Sports is looking to move into roughly a third of the 87,000 square-foot former Kmart site at 1211 E. Green Bay St.

Including the Shawano Plaza in the city’s TIF District 6 would allow the city to provide a grant and low-interest loan for remodeling of the property and some parking lot improvements.

TIF districts are areas where municipalities invest in infrastructure, such as sewer and water, to attract development where it might not otherwise occur, or to make improvements, such as eliminating blight.

Whatever increase in tax revenue that results from development in those districts goes to paying back the debt the municipality incurred from making improvements to the district.

The TIF district amendment will go before the Shawano Common Council at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and will need to get the approval of the Joint Review Board, which meets on Feb. 12.

The board consists of representatives from the city, Shawano County, the Shawano School District, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and one at-large member.

Other taxing entities have to approve of the plan because they would not share in any additional revenue from new development in the district until the improvements are paid off.

The TIF amendment would add the entire Shawano Plaza, but only new development at the plaza would go toward paying off the TIF debt.

Shawano Plaza is owned and managed by Atlanta-based RCG Ventures, LLC, a privately funded real estate investment group that acquires and develops commercial real estate.

The city could provide roughly $450,000 in assistance through a potential grant and low-interest loan by adding the plaza to the district.

RCG Ventures took out a building permit last month for their plans for almost $1.2 million in renovations.

The Shawano Kmart closed in July 2014, laying off 55 employees. It had been in business at that location since 1989.

Michigan-based Dunham’s Sports has a chain of about 200 stores, mostly in the Midwest.

When the Shawano County Housing Authority came under scrutiny for renting to a family with a household income of more than $100,000 a year, county leaders went out of their way to declare that they have nothing to do with the public housing agency.

Then members of the County Board made a surprising discovery: They appoint the board of directors that oversees the housing authority.

The realization has prompted county leaders to temporarily halt new appointments to the housing authority while simultaneously considering various options for clarifying their role in the agency — or perhaps distancing themselves from it.

Among the options being discussed is asking the housing authority to change its name so that it sounds less like a part of Shawano County government. At the same time, however, county officials are coming to grips with the fact that they have perhaps the ultimate involvement in the housing authority: deciding who runs it.

Given that everybody serving on the housing authority board was put there by the county, some supervisors wonder whether the county can truly assert that it has no responsibility for what goes on in the agency.

“That’s a good question,” Supervisor Bonnie Olson said. “How can you separate the two?”

Nobody really felt a need to parse the complex machinations of the housing authority until a report published last summer showed that the agency was renting public housing to a family whose household income totaled $108,000 a year — far more than would be permitted with a new tenant.

The report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development listed thousands of similar situations nationally, highlighting a need for tougher enforcement of income limits on families whose salaries increase after they have qualified for taxpayer-funded housing.

A second family in Shawano County public housing has since been reported with a six-figure household income.

The Shawano County Housing Authority board has decided to take no action for the moment, instead awaiting new guidance from the federal government on how to deal with the issue.

With angry taxpayers locally demanding an explanation, county government leaders took the opportunity publicly and privately to let it be known that the housing authority is not a county government agency and, as a result, they have no control over what it does.

County Supervisor Kevin Conradt now is among those suggesting that the housing authority should change its name to something that sounds less county-like.

“It’s very misleading,” Conradt said. “Why should Shawano County’s name be on it?”

Headquartered at 1259 Engel Drive in Shawano, the housing authority is an independent organization created by the state and funded by the federal government to provide housing for low-income residents in Shawano County. The agency manages about 200 housing units of various sizes to accommodate individuals and families in need.

With a budget of $900,000 a year, the authority is overseen by a five-member board that comprises community volunteers who are nominated by the housing authority itself and confirmed by the County Board.

John Wartman, executive director of the housing authority, said state law mandates county approval of the housing authority’s board of directors. Wartman said he was surprised to hear that some county officials were questioning the arrangement.

“I don’t know why all of a sudden that came up,” he said. “My god, it’s been like that forever.”

At its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the County Board balked at a proposal to reappoint two housing authority board members, Clarence Natzke and Mike Hille, each to another five-year term. Several county supervisors questioned the County Board’s role in the appointments and also expressed lingering discomfort with the issue surrounding the family earning $100,000 a year.

The board voted 17-6 to postpone action on the appointments and to direct county staff to approach the housing authority about the underlying issues, including a possible name change.

Supervisor Thomas Kautzka joked that the name perhaps should be “the Hundred-Thousand Dollar Club.”

Kautzka later said he, too, was unaware that the County Board had appointment power over the housing authority board. Given the recent issue with the family earning $100,000 a year in public housing, Kautzka said the county should possibly have more input into the authority’s operations.

“There seems to be a grey area there that a lot of us don’t really seem to understand,” he said.

Wartman said although it has not been an issue before, the County Board for years has had authority to determine who serves on the housing authority’s board. If county supervisors rejected a nominee, Wartman said, the authority would propose someone else.

After the County Board postponed action on the two current re-appointments, Wartman said, he and county officials discussed possibly appointing a county supervisor to the housing authority. There are currently only four board members, so the supervisor would fill a vacancy unrelated to the pending re-appointments.

On the name change issue, Wartman said he would ask his board Feb. 19 to consider a name along the lines of the “Housing Authority of Shawano County” to make clear that it is not a county government agency. The housing authority manager said he was unclear on whether the issue was being raised because of the controversy surrounding the family earning $100,000 a year.

Referring to the supervisor’s remark about “the Hundred-Thousand Dollar Club,” Wartman said: “I don’t know where he’s coming from.”

Shawano Police Department

Feb. 3

Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:

Vandalism — A vehicle window was reported shot out by a BB gun at Evergreen Care Center, 1250 S. Evergreen St.

Drug Offense — Police investigated a drug complaint in the 100 block of South Main Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Feb. 3

Deputies logged 35 incidents, including the following:

Reckless Driving — Authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on state Highway 117 in the town of Washington.

Trespass — A trespassing complaint was reported on Lake Road in the town of Herman.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Elm Street in Birnamwood.

Reckless Driving — Authorities responded to a reckless driving complaint on U.S. Highway 45 in the town of Morris.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on County Road A in the town of Bartelme.

Clintonville Police Department

Feb. 3

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was reported on North Park Street.

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was reported on West Green Tree Road.

Junior Achievement of the Wolf River District’s small business campaign is receiving strong support, according to organizers.

The group, which served almost 3,000 students last year, sent letters to area businesses last month with information on the 2014-15 school year’s successes and a request to support similar programs and new ventures this school year.

Businesses received information about the 160 classes volunteers taught last year in 12 schools in Shawano and Menominee counties. Junior Achievement courses promote work readiness and entrepreneurship skills to directly benefit area businesses. The courses also stress volunteerism in the community.

The information also featured details about last summer’s Be An Entrepreneur Camp held in Suring. Twenty-seven middle and high school youth attended the six-day resident camp to learn how to start a business. Divided into seven teams, they created ideas and presented them to a panel of business executives. Ideas from two teams have gone into production. Two sessions of camp are planned for this summer.

JA strengthens local businesses by providing students the skills they will need to be strong employees or to start their own business, said Nicole Belongia, JA Wolf River District board president.

“Work readiness is imperative for students entering the workforce. JA is designed to give students the tools they need to succeed with real life hands-on experiences, whether in the classroom, Business Challenge or camp,” said Belongia, a commercial credit analyst for CoVantage Credit Union. “Through these different venues, students learn about the economy, how to make sound financial decisions and gain entrepreneurship skills. All of these tools will give our students the best chance for a successful future.”

Junior Achievements empowers youths to achieve success through volunteer-led courses promoting financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. The courses are available to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. In the 2014-15 school year, 182 volunteers helped with the local classes.

For information on how businesses can make a difference to the thousands of students in JA, whether by volunteering, teaching a class or by donating funds, call Susan Schwartz at 920-493-4856.

Three area private schools have registered to enroll taxpayer-funded voucher students during the 2016-17 school year.

The state on Thursday released a list of voucher schools statewide showing that St. James Lutheran School in Shawano and St. Paul Lutheran School in Bonduel both want to continue in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program.

St. James joined the program this year; St. Paul joined the previous year.

St. Martin Lutheran School in Clintonville is applying for the first time.

The program uses taxpayer funds to subsidize religious and other private schools.

The state Department of Public Instruction says 135 private schools statewide have registered for the program, which funded 2,514 students this year at a cost to taxpayers of $7.3 million.

Shawano School District officials in October raised property taxes more than $200,000, citing a loss of state aid because of students leaving the public school system to attend voucher schools.

DPI says the list includes 31 new private schools applying to participate in the voucher program. It allows students who live outside the Milwaukee and Racine Unified school districts to use a taxpayer-funded subsidy to attend a participating private or religious school. The program is limited by parental income requirements, including a level of about $45,000 a year for a family of four.

The voucher for the 2016-2017 school year is about $7,300 for students in grades K through 8 and nearly $8,000 for high school students. Participating schools aren’t required to provide transportation for choice students.

Schools new to the program for fall must obtain pre-accreditation by Aug. 1 (if they are not already fully accredited). Prior to being eligible to receive voucher payments from the state, schools must, by May 1, submit information regarding their budget. They must also submit, by Aug. 1, documentation of their insurance coverage and certain school policies.

The vehicular homicide case against the teenage driver in an October 2014 crash that claimed the lives of three passengers is set for a jury trial, but not until next January due to the heavy caseload in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court.

Ryan M. Swadner, 18, of Cecil, is accused of being under the influence of marijuana on Oct. 21, 2014, when he swerved to avoid another vehicle stopped in his path on state Highway 22 in Belle Plaine and lost control on a gravel shoulder.

The Ford Mustang he was driving crossed into the path of an oncoming sport utility vehicle and was hit broadside, according to the accident report.

Two Shawano Community High School seniors, 17-year-old Cody Borsche and 18-year-old Tyler Welch, were pronounced dead at the scene. A Bonduel High School sophomore, 15-year-old Paige Brunette, was transported to Shawano Medical Center for medical attention and later died.

Swadner is free on a $10,000 cash bond.

The trial is expected to run a full two weeks, but a free two-week block of time in Judge William Kussel Jr.’s court schedule could not be found for the rest of the year.

The trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 23 and last through Feb. 3.

District Attorney Greg Parker will be assisted by a special prosecutor from the state Attorney General’s office.

Parker said he requested a special prosecutor to assist him because of the staffing limitations in his office, which has only two other assistant district attorneys.

“With a small office, and the caseload of this office, I cannot dedicate two full-time prosecutors to a two-week jury trial,” Parker said.

Parker added that having a second prosecutor assist him on the case would be helpful given that “there are many issues that may arise.”

Swadner pleaded not guilty in July to multiple counts of vehicular and reckless homicide.

Swadner is charged with three counts of homicide by use of a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance and three counts of second-degree reckless homicide. Each of the charges carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

He is also charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver marijuana and maintaining a drug trafficking place in reference to the vehicle allegedly being used to traffic marijuana. The charges each carry a maximum 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Swadner is also facing misdemeanor counts of causing injury while under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

According to the criminal complaint, authorities found nearly 12 grams of marijuana in six plastic baggies in Swadner’s vehicle, along with the pieces of a glass pipe and a digital scale.

According to the complaint, Swadner told authorities he initially intended to loan his vehicle to Welch in exchange for marijuana on the day of the crash but later agreed to give Welch a ride.

The complaint alleges the vehicle was on its way to the state Highway 22/29 Shell station for “a narcotics transaction,” based on text messages included in the complaint that were exchanged with a “Drug Customer D.”

Swadner told authorities Welch was making the drug transaction, and he was giving Welch a ride.

Lab results showing Swadner had marijuana in his system were presented at a preliminary hearing in June.

Swadner’s attorney, Nila Robinson, suggested the trace amount of marijuana found in her client’s system could have been the result of secondhand smoke.