Voters in the Bonduel School District said “no” Tuesday on a referendum that was designed to restore financial stability in a district struggling with flat property values and declining enrollment.

District Administrator Patrick Rau said he would meet with school board members April 17 to begin deciding on staff reductions and other budget cuts to cope with an expected $400,000 deficit next year.

“It’s going to definitely change how things are done in the Bonduel schools,” Rau said.

The referendum seeking to raise an additional $1 million a year for the school district was rejected 708-602 in Tuesday’s election.

The measure would have authorized the school district to raise property taxes by up to $1 million annually for three years to maintain staffing in the district, protect programs and preserve facilities.

School district administrators warned that if the ballot initiative failed, budget deficits could mean fewer course offerings at the high school and larger class sizes at the elementary school level, among other possibilities.
With more than 100 employees currently, the district is facing a budget deficit that is expected to reach $400,000 next year and could surpass $1 million within three years.
Residents turning out at the polls Tuesday reflected a sharp division over the ballot measure.

Jean Belke said she supported the referendum because she recognizes that state funding cuts and other actions at the state level have left the school district in a precarious financial situation.

“We really do have an excellent school system,” Belke said. “And we need to maintain that.”

Roland Hilliker said he voted against the referendum, citing his opposition to the school district’s administration and its recent track record.

“There’s a lot of mistrust,” Hilliker said. “I don’t think more money is the answer.”

District officials and other school boosters promoted the referendum to civic groups, at community meetings, and in campaign literature. A recurring theme was that voter approval would not mean school expansion, but rather would avert loss of staff and services.
The district has 827 students and operates a high school, middle school and elementary school on a yearly budget of $12.4 million, which includes $4.3 million in property taxes.

If the referendum had passed, property tax collections for Bonduel schools could have increased to as much as $5.3 million annually. For the owner of a typical $100,000 property, school taxes would have increased by about $180 a year.

Under Wisconsin’s public school funding limits, school districts must seek voter approval to exceed tax caps imposed by the state.

Before Bonduel officials decided to try a referendum, the district conducted a community survey and asked residents to rate their support for various options, including the grim prospect that the district would be dissolved and its students parceled off to neighboring districts.

Rau said Tuesday he has no plans to recommend to the school board that they take steps to dissolve the district as a result of Tuesday’s referendum. Such a move, he said, would not be in the best interests of the Bonduel community.

“If the school closes, I don’t believe that Bonduel will be able to thrive and prosper,” he said.

Shawano voters Tuesday overwhelmingly supported additional borrowing for a park improvement plan that will now go to the Common Council for consideration.

The non-binding advisory referendum asked voters whether the city should approve $1.85 million in additional borrowing for development of Franklin and Smalley parks and a splash pad to replace the kiddie pool at Memorial Park.

Unofficial results, which still need to be certified by the Board of Canvass, reported by the city Tuesday were:

Yes 767

No 440

If subsequently approved by the council, the plan would add 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to the tax bill, or $25 per $100,000 home.

Neither Mayor Jeanne Cronce nor Matt Hendricks, parks and recreation director, could be reached for comment Tuesday night.

At Franklin Park, the improvements would include an amphitheater for music, movies and community events; public restrooms, and pavilion space available for public rental; a water fountain with benches and trees for visual interest; parking, electrical, landscaping and infrastructure to accommodate community events; walkways, picnic tables and benches; and space for a future playground.

At Smalley Park, plans call for a park pavilion with restroom facilities and a rentable picnic shelter; a canoe and kayak launch; boat landings and boat slips; improved parking, lighting and security; walking trails that connect all of the major park features; trees and other native plantings, including native plantings along the waterway to deter geese; and continued revitalization of the beach and the improvement of beach amenities.

The plans also call for replacement of the wading pool at Memorial Park with a splash pad.

All of the plans were based on community input from a survey that asked what people want to see developed in Shawano’s park system.

The department typically has a capital improvements budget of $250,000 a year, meaning it could take about eight years to accomplish the proposed projects if none of that money were to be spent on any other park improvements, according to the city.

The additional borrowing would allow the improvements to be made within about two years, though the actual work would probably not get underway until next year.

Shawano Police Department

April 4

Police logged 21 incidents, including the following:

Truancy — Police logged three truancy complaints from the Shawano School District.

Arrest — Police took a 36-year-old man into custody at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the 100 block of East Elizabeth Street.

Theft — A purse was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 1200 block of Industrial Drive.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem on Wolf River Avenue.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 4

Deputies logged 40 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A 33-year-old Cecil man was arrested on outstanding Brown County warrants after a disturbance on Nauman Road in the town of Green Valley.

Drug Offense — Charges of possession with intent to deliver meth were referred against a 31-year-old Wittenberg man at the Ho-Chunk Casino, N7198 U.S. Highway 45, in the town of Wittenberg.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Hemlock Road in the town of Wittenberg.

Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen on Morning Glory Lane in Tigerton.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Pioneer Road in the town of Belle Plaine.

Clintonville Police Department

April 4

Police logged six incidents, including the following:

Assault — A sexual assault complaint was under investigation.

Theft — A theft was reported on Eighth Street.

Shawano Auto Sales, 939 E. Green Bay St., Shawano, has received a $5,000 Vision 2017 interior grant to replace flooring in the showroom area.

Shawano Auto Sales was founded in 1957 by the late Earl and Vi Roloff as a salvage yard. In 1963, the company became a Chrysler franchise. In 2008, the business was taken over by the second generation. Siblings Jeff and Rick Roloff, Pam Schmidt and Paula Lackner now lead the dealership.

According to Jeff Roloff, this was the last phase of a three-phase project to modernize the showroom.

“This grant gave us the ability to upgrade the floor to stand the test of time,” Roloff said. “We look forward to many more years of service.”

Dennis Heling, chief economic development officer of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc., said the façade and interior grant program is closed after four years of awarding grants through the Shawano Country Vision 2017 program.

“We have been overwhelmingly pleased with the success of this grant program,” Heling said. “Every dollar invested in a local businesses has resulted in an eightfold return on investment.”

Since 2013, 52 grants totaling $171,000 have been awarded to small businesses through the façade and interior grant programs, stimulating total capital investment of over $1.4 million, according to SCEPI.

Grants have been awarded to businesses throughout Shawano County in Tigerton, Wittenberg, Gresham, Eland, Bonduel and Shawano.

Vision 2017 is a five-year economic development plan designed to address various needs of area businesses and communities. The plan’s overall goal is to spur capital investment and grow the economy by implementing steps in key areas, including business expansion, attraction and recruitment; tourism/retail development; workforce issues; and community development.

This plan was initiated four years ago by the board of directors of Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. and the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce to tackle economic challenges that included several plant closures, job losses and lower than average per capita income.

Heather and David Pahl are realizing a dream they have had for years after becoming the new owners of Martin Jewellers in Shawano. They purchased the building and business from Jim Martin, who is David’s first cousin and godfather.

“I grew up knowing Martin Jewellers when it was on Franklin Street,” Heather Pahl said.

Two years ago Martin mentioned to them he was thinking about retiring.

“We told him we were interested in the store,” Pahl said.

Pahl got some experience working in jewelry stores in Madison while earning a degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is now taking courses at the Gemological Institute of America.

“I’m not nearly as good as the team we have,” she said.

Pahl is trying to minimize the inconvenience to customers while giving the interior a fresh look with new carpet, walls, ceiling, lighting, electrical and security systems.

The new owners are using all local contractors, with Maule Construction as the head contractor.

Heather Pahl said the store will continue with the same line of items and will also continue engraving, along with watch and clock repair.

They hope to be finished with the interior by the end of May or early June.

They will also keep the name Martin Jewellers.

“It’s so well known and has a great reputation,” Pahl said. “It means a lot to us that Jim and Dorothy Martin trust us enough to keep the name.”

David Pahl works for John Deere. The couple has two children in college.

During the renovation, customers can use the back door during shop hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For homeowners with lakefront properties in Shawano County, sprucing up their shoreline often sounds like a proposition that would cost a pile of money or limit their ability to enjoy living on the water — or both.

Shawano County is encouraging property owners to instead consider modest improvements that would deliver some of the same environmental benefits without inhibiting anyone’s waterfront access or scenic views.

Best of all, the county is offering to help pay the cost.

The county land conservation department is taking applications for grants worth up to $2,500 each for any lakefront homeowner interested in undertaking an eco-friendly shoreline restoration project.

The objective of the grant program is to boost water quality and restore natural shorelines around Shawano County lakes, not with oversized bushes or trees but with understated landscaping and plantings.

“We thought this would be kind of a happy medium,” county conservationist Scott Frank said.

The county set aside $24,000 for the program three years ago using money allocated by American Transmission Co., a private company that compensated Shawano County for utility line expansion within the county.

Before seeking lakefront homeowner applications en masse, officials participated in a couple of demonstration projects.

Art Freiberg, who lives on Lower Red Lake in Gresham, used a county grant to transform his shoreline from a plain backyard lawn into an attractive bed of wood chips decorated with more than 400 native plants. The landscaping serves as a natural filter for stormwater or other runoff, protecting the lake water from such potential pollutants as fertilizer.

Freiberg said he still enjoys easy access and visibility of Lower Red Lake, and he appreciates that his restoration effort is contributing to cleaner water while also giving him a more natural-looking shoreline.

“It’s really beautiful,” he said. “But what it really does is, it’s beneficial to the lake.”

The whole project ended up costing $1,800, which Freiberg split with the county 50/50.

Lisa Reas, an environmental consultant who designed and installed the Freiberg landscaping, said such shoreline restoration not only keeps pollutants from reaching the water, it serves as a gentle buffer to discourage geese or muskrats from invading a homeowner’s property.

Other than the potential cost, the most common reason waterfront homeowners neglect such upgrades is uncertainty about the best way to approach the issue, Reas said.

“They just don’t know how to get started,” she added.

Under the county grant program, a county representative will visit each applicant’s property to see what sort of improvements are possible and to determine whether the project qualifies for funding. Each property owner is expected to pay half of the total cost.

Although grants can go as high as $2,500 each, Frank said, most properties can achieve significant restoration for as little as $800 in county funding.

With about $20,000 left from the county’s initial allocation, the county grant process could become competitive, Frank said. If necessary, officials would consider looking for additional financial support to meet the demand.

Frank urged lakefront homeowners to come forward and learn whether the program is suitable for their properties.

“We can do a fair number of projects out there,” he said.

Nearly three years after the Shawano Common Council rejected a proposed ordinance that would have allowed backyard chickens within city limits, officials are finding chickens back on their plate.

Scott Krueger, a dietitian and Shawano resident, first brought the chicken proposal to the plan commission in May 2014.

The commission voted 8-1 to overturn the city’s ban on urban poultry and adopt a new ordinance allowing up to four chickens.

The idea was roasted by the Common Council, which voted 4-2 against the proposal in June.

Krueger returned to the commission Wednesday for another try.

“I have two kids who really would like this and I’ve spoken to several people within the community that wish to present their thoughts on this as well,” he told the commission.

City Administrator Brian Knapp said the defeated ordinance could be dusted off and brought back for a second look.

The commission agreed to do that at its May meeting.

Several seats on the commission and the council have changed hands since 2014, along with the mayor’s office, now held by Jeanne Cronce, leaving open the possibility for a different outcome this around.

The ordinance as drafted in 2014 would require chicken owners to get a permit from the city and approval in writing from their neighbors.

It would allow up to four chickens, but no roosters, on a single-family detached dwelling.

Sanitary enclosures would be required that would have to be kept clean, ventilated and predator-proof.

The proposed ordinance also sets down regulations for the size and location of chicken coops and requires feed to be kept in rodent- and predator-proof containers.

Permits would be good for one year and could be revoked by the Common Council on the recommendation of the city clerk or building inspector.

Krueger said after the meeting he was optimistic the ordinance could be passed this time.

“I think there are a lot of people in the community that are in favor of this, and I think people have brought that to the council’s attention,” he said. “I think this should be seen as something the community wants and not just one or two people.”

Krueger said he expects to present to a petition from supporters before the council takes up the question, likely at its June meeting.

Shawano Police Department

April 5

Police logged 27 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 400 block of South Franklin Street.

Disorderly - Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint at Main and Green Bay streets.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident in the 200 block of South Main Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 900 block of South River Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 700 block of South Franklin Street.

Disorderly - Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint at McDonald’s, 1202 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 5

Deputies logged 40 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Authorities responded to an intoxicated person complaint at the North Star Casino, W12180 County Road A, Bowler.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault complaint on Lake Drive in the town of Wescott.

Warrant — A 32-year-old Cecil man was taken into custody on a warrant on Country Lane in the town of Washington.

Weapon Offense —Authorities were investigated a report of an unintended discharge of a firearm at Bonnie’s Place, 207 W. Main St., Bowler. A 65-year-old man sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, but the incident was still being investigated and no further information was being released.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on state Highway 29 in the town of Maple Grove.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road M in the town of Pella.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Springbrook Road in the town of Washington.

Clintonville Police Department

April 5

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Harassment — A harassment complaint was reported at Clintonville High School, 64 Green Tree Road.

Fraud — A fraud complaint was investigated on Wilson Street.

Disorderly — A warning for disorderly conduct was issued at 16th and Roberts streets.

The Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce will present “Help! My Business Needs Workers! — Resources for Finding and Training Qualified Workers” at 11:45 a.m. May 4 at the chamber office, 1263 S. Main St., Shawano.

The program is part of the chamber’s Lunch and Learn series. Employers will be able to find out how Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s corporate training and economic development department and Shawano County Job Center are helping employers recruit and train employees.

Presenters will include Marney Verhasselt, account executive with NWTC, and Bill Schmidt, account representative with Forward Services Corporation, located at the Shawano County Job Center. Karla Hoffmann with Genex Cooperative/CRI will share how one of Shawano County’s largest employers takes advantage of local training programs and resources. She will also share tips for where to go to post jobs and how to find and retain qualified candidates.

NWTC’s corporate training and economic development department partners with area businesses by assessing their needs and designing training solutions. Training can be offered at NWTC or on-site at the business.

Registration is $8 per person. Registration includes a box lunch. Seating is limited; reservations are required by noon May 1. To RSVP call 715-524-2139 or email chamber@shawano.com.

Lunch & Learn is presented in partnership with Kersten Accounting & Tax.

Contested spring election races around the county Tuesday were decided in many cases by extremely narrow margins and caused upsets for a handful of incumbents.

The town of Birnamwood’s District 2 supervisor, Mike Fandrey, lost his seat to challenger Steven Steinke by just four votes.

Fandrey was also running for the chairman’s seat and was shut out of that by incumbent Chairman Pete Stewart, who prevailed by nine votes.

The election also ousted incumbent leadership in two villages.

Cecil Village President Jeff Nolan lost his seat to Eric Thomas by a vote of 93-76.

Gresham Village President Kenneth Beyer lost his seat by a more lopsided margin to Lyle Grosskopf, 82-26.

Longtime town of Wescott Chairman Mike Schuler held onto his seat for another two-year term, defeating challenger Donald Anker.

Margins were much tighter in many other races, and in three cases resulted in a tied vote where the winner was ultimately declared.

A full list of contested races and referendum question results within Shawano County follows.

Results are unofficial. The Board of Canvass certified the results Thursday, but those official numbers were not available by press time.

TOWN OF ANGELICA

Two supervisor seats: Mike Kurzynske, 79; James Lloyd Przybylski, 122; Wilbert Lewis (incumbent), 157; Greg Van Asten (incumbent), 240

Clerk: Connie Lynn Przybylski, 115; Janet Powers (incumbent), 246

TOWN OF BIRNAMWOOD

Chairman: Mike Fandrey, 64; Pete Stewart (incumbent), 75

Supervisor 1: Frank Groh, 64; Dennis Van Prooyen (incumbent), 73

Supervisor 2: Steven Steinke, 70; Mike Fandrey (incumbent), 66

TOWN OF HERMAN

Supervisor 2: Howard J. Schultz (incumbent), 50; Clayton Arndt, 56

TOWN OF HUTCHINS

Two supervisor seats: Paul Reichert (incumbent), 57; Jeremy Metko, 77; Daniel Wolf (incumbent), 55

TOWN OF LESSOR

Supervisor 2: Jeff Nass, 98; David Owen, 158

TOWN OF MAPLE GROVE

Treasurer: Bonnie Taylor, 54; Steven Holewinski, 59

TOWN OF MORRIS

Chairman: Guy Murdock, 44; Kurt Klinner (incumbent), 87

Supervisor 1: Kenneth Weisnicht (incumbent), 48; Dale Clark, 74

TOWN OF RICHMOND

Two supervisor seats: Ricky Brockman, 173; Matt Hietpas, 298, Ken Damveld (incumbent), 189

TOWN OF WASHINGTON

Two supervisor seats: David Korth, 155; Daniel Sumnicht (incumbent), 143; Steve Wegner (incumbent), 144

Constable: Charley Fritsch, 112; Marvin Gehm (incumbent), 152

TOWN OF WAUKECHON

Supervisor 2: Alan Beyer, declared winner, (incumbent), 107; Jim Bahr, 107

TOWN OF WESCOTT

Chairman: Donald Anker, 153; Mike Schuler (incumbent), 246

VILLAGE OF CECIL

President: Jeff Nolan (incumbent), 76; Eric Thomas, 93

VILLAGE OF ELAND

Two trustee seats: Carol Welker (incumbent), 39; Shane Larson, 65; Dee Dorow, declared winner, 47; Linda Spaude (incumbent), 47

VILLAGE OF GRESHAM

President: Lyle Grosskopf, 82; Kenneth Beyer (incumbent), 26

VILLAGE OF MATTOON

Three trustee seats: Corey Zarda, 62; Donald Fuller (incumbent), 58; Rachel Torres Rodriguez, 55; Paul Beck, 39

VILLAGE OF TIGERTON

Three trustee seats: David Herb Dent, 87; Holly Weatherwax (incumbent), 71; Angela Jensen (incumbent), 73; Bonnie Clark, 80

CITY OF SHAWANO

District 1 alderperson: Jessica Van Buren, 103; Bob Kurkiewicz (incumbent), 163

BOWLER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Town of Almon representative: Shannon Thiex, 177; Jane Schultz, 113

MARION SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two Shawano County representatives: Bill Schoen, 118; Lynn Tober-Steinke, 115; Jerry Ahlers, 59

SHAWANO SCHOOL DISTRICT

At-large representative: Mart Grams, 1,026; Bruce Milavitz, 1,119

BONDUEL SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM

Asked whether the district should be allowed to exceed its revenue limit by $1 million annually for school years 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, for a total of $3 million, for the purposes of the operational needs of the school district as determined by the school board from time to time.

Yes, 602; No, 708

CLINTONVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM

Asked whether the Clintonville School District should borrow up to $24.9 million for the purpose of paying the costs of constructing and equipping a new elementary school on the existing Rexford-Longfellow school site, razing and removing the existing school building and making site improvements related to said project.

Yes, 329; No, 466

CITY OF SHAWANO PARK REFERENDUM

Asked whether the city should approve up to $1.85 million in additional borrowing for improvements to Franklin and Smalley parks and a splash pad at Memorial Park.

Yes, 767; No, 440

Construction crews started work Thursday on the new Wolf River Lutheran High School, culminating years of planning and fundraising by supporters of the private Shawano County school.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Principal Caroline Bedroske said of the 25,000-square-foot school finally under construction on River Bend Road just south of Shawano in the town of Belle Plaine.

If construction progresses as intended, the private school’s students and faculty will relocate into the new school when classes convene this fall for the 2017-18 school year.

The school has outgrown its building in Cecil, and boosters have been working about 20 years to complete plans and raise funds for the new school’s six classrooms, gymnasium, commons, office space and mezzanine.

Fundraising efforts were behind schedule as recently as last year, but donations in recent months have pushed the campaign to the $1.5 million mark needed to launch construction.

Booster Ron Klosterman, a former member of the school’s board, said he was thrilled to see construction crews getting down to work.

“There are a lot of people who didn’t think we’d be here,” Klosterman said. “If you want to be someone who gets things done, you’ve got to be willing to go for the long haul.”

The project is being led by Green Bay-based Bayland Buildings Inc., with assistance so far from Kallies Electric Inc. of Shawano and Performance Excavating Inc. of Pulaski.

Wolf River Lutheran, which holds classes in a former elementary school in Cecil, purchased the River Bend Road property in 1999 after years of discussion about how to expand the school’s Christian-based mission.

Enrollment has been growing steadily and is expected to reach about 40 students next year in ninth through 12th grade.

The new school has been designed to accommodate twice the enrollment.

“It’s truly a blessing from where we started,” said Dennie Genke, the school board president.

When the current school year ends, students and faculty will vacate the existing building, 220 S. Zachow St., to make way for another local church group that has purchased the property. Furnishings and supplies will be put into storage until the new school becomes available, possibly by August.

Bedroske said students have been watching the construction site on River Bend Road and breathlessly reporting any sign of movement.

“The students are really excited for what it all is going to mean,” she said.

School leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site in November 2015 in hopes of spurring enough donations to start construction and build the school for the 2016-17 school year. Donations remained sluggish, however, and officials waited several months longer before fundraising picked up.

An anonymous donor has since pledged $200,000 as a matching grant, to match all incoming donations dollar for dollar.

Genke said seeing construction under way and knowing that the new school is just a few months away makes all the years of hard work worthwhile.

“It’s been a lot of work, that’s for sure,” he said. “But it’s finally going to happen.”

Shawano Police Department

April 6

Police logged 18 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 31-year-old man was arrested on a warrant after a traffic stop at Lieg Avenue and Hamlin Street.

Theft — Police responded to a property theft complaint at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of North Franklin Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 6

Deputies logged 47 incidents, including the following:

Truancy — Authorities logged four truancy complaints from Bonduel Middle/High School, 400 W. Green Bay St., Bonduel.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint at Wittenberg Elementary/Middle School, 300 S. Prouty St., Wittenberg.

Threatening — Authorities responded to a threatening complaint on Main Street in Gresham.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Cherry Road in the town of Herman.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on state Highway 22 in Cecil.

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

Clintonville Police Department

April 6

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Warnings were issued for disorderly conduct after a family disturbance on South Main Street.

Accident — A property damage accident was reported on South Main Street and an ambulance was dispatched to evaluate the driver.

A Suring man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Green Bay to two counts of having sex with a minor on the Menominee Indian Reservation in 2015.

According to the plea agreement filed in court this week, prosecutors will recommend that William Wilber IV, 37, serve 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

District Judge William Griesbach set sentencing for June 27. Wilber remains in custody until then. A trial had been set to begin April 17.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed to seek dismissal of one count of sexual assault of a minor.

Wilber pleaded guilty to having sex with a then 14-year-old girl in May 2015 at the Legend Lake property his family owned. He also pleaded guilty to having sex with a then 15-year-old girl in July 2015 at the Legend Lake property.

Griesbach is not bound by the terms of the plea agreement, and can also order Wilber to pay restitution for counseling and other expenses if the victims request it.

Plans for a medical residency training center were advanced Wednesday by the Shawano Plan Commission and were expected to be on the Common Council’s agenda next week.

The commission recommended approval of a certified survey map for the facility, as well as a conditional use permit to split off a portion of the property, and a rezoning of the split for residential use associated with the facility and another portion for senior housing.

“This was all contemplated as part of the development agreement we entered into,” City Administrator Brian Knapp said.

A development agreement between the city and RTC Real Estate Holdings LLC approved in November calls for a 25-bed residency training hospital and medical clinic, along with eight 12-unit residential apartment buildings, that would be located north of County Road B and east of Waukechon Street in Shawano.

The apartments would be a mix of multi-family housing and senior assisted living facilities.

The 39-acre complex, located in Tax Incremental Finance District 7, would be just south of the new Belmark packaging development.

RTC expects to make a roughly $63 million investment in the project, according to the agreement.

The $780,000 cost of the property would be offset by credits RTC would receive if it meets all of its obligations under the agreement, basically providing the property to RTC at no cost.

The agreement calls for RTC to construct a 45,000-square-foot medical clinic in three phases, with the first phase completed by January 2018.

The residency training hospital would be up by January 2020.

Four 12-unit apartment buildings would go up in 2019 and 2020, with 48 units of additional apartments and/or senior assisted living beds by January 2023.

The last phase of the medical clinic would be completed by January 2026.

The residency training hospital portion of the project would be tax-exempt, but RTC would make an annual payment to the city in lieu of taxes starting 10 years after the project’s completion.

The city would also issue a municipal revenue bond of $2.5 million on RTC’s behalf once the early phases of the project are completed.

The 22-acre hospital portion of the project is expected to increase the value of the property by $38 million and create 210 full-time jobs, according to the agreement.

Improvements to the 9-acre housing and senior care portion should add $8.5 million to the taxable land value and create 25 full-time jobs.

The clinic and professional building portion is expected to add $7.5 million in taxable valuation improvements and create 50 full-time jobs.

A plan to turn the former SMC property into a residency training hospital was approved by city officials last year, but fell through after ThedaCare, which owns a portion of the property, refused to sign on.

ThedaCare objected over concerns that the training center would compete with ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano.

Developers have been looking for an alternate location since the former hospital site fell through in August 2015.

Shawano County farmers and others involved in agriculture gathered Friday for the 60th annual Shawano County Agricultural Awards ceremony.

The banquet attended by about 150 people has become a significant social occasion and also a time to recognize those who have made important contributions to the Shawano County farming community.

“It’s a chance to get together and celebrate people doing positive things for our industry,” organizer Tammy Styczynski said. “It’s a great night to reconnect with friends and recognize more deserving people in the farming community.”

The yearly banquet is organized by the University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Shawano County office, along with several other groups, individuals and business sponsors.

It was held Friday night at the Main Event banquet hall in Cecil.

One of the big awards went to Jacob Roth, of the town of Birnamwood, who was recognized as the 2016 Outstanding Young Farmer.

Roth farms with his parents, Dale and Regina, and has been raising pigs since he was in eighth grade. He also created Jake’s Pig Palace, where he raises pigs for many youth to show at the Shawano County Fair.

The award recipient sells about 150 show pigs a year and raises another 25 butcher hogs annually. As the winner of many county fair awards over the years, he was the breeder of the 2014 Reserve Champion Market Gilt at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Roth is a dealer for Sunglow feeds and is a member of the Wisconsin Show Pig Association, Shawano County Holstein Association and the Wisconsin Holstein Association.

Jaime Patton, Extension agriculture agent for Shawano County, said Roth “lives and breathes” farming and shares his excitement with others.

“Just have a short conversation with Jake and you will soon realize his passion for the swine and dairy industries,” Patton said. “Walking through his barns, he knows every animal by name and can tell you its bloodlines from memory.”

Other honors announced during Friday’s banquet include the following:

• Goers Family Dairy Farm received the Soil & Water Conservation Farmer award. The family farm, located south of Gresham in the town of Herman, milks 200 cows, has 200 young stock and grows over 500 acres of alfalfa, corn silage and corn. The family was honored for various improvements with livestock housing, a milking parlor and waste handling over the past six years.

• Dean Mehlberg was honored as the Tree Farmer of the Year. Mehlberg was raised in a forested area in the town of Grant, and he now owns 25 acres in the town of Pella consisting of pine, northern hardwoods and oak-hickory, of which 20 acres are enrolled in the Managed Forest Law program. He is an active member and past president of the Wolf River Chapter of Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association. He said: “The woods is where I found peace and beauty.”

• Kay Reminger received the Friend of Agriculture award for her years of work writing about farm life in The Shawano Leader. Kay and her husband farm near Marion, where they have raised three children. For the past 11 years, she has written a regular column in the Leader about her life as a farm wife. Organizers honored her for using her writing gift to share life experiences on the farm.

• Dale and Debbie Mielke were awarded the Second Miler Award in connection with their Mielke’s S-Curve Dairy farm near Marion. The family farm will be hosting the annual Brunch on the Farm on June 25. Debbie has served on numerous boards, including the Rural Health Initiative, Shawano County Dairy Promotions and the Shawano County Farm Bureau, of which she has been president the past several years. Speaking of her varied activities in the ag community, Debbie Mielke told banquet attendees Friday: “The best part is the people you meet. That brings it all home. That makes it worthwhile.”

• Area students Brooke Breitrick, Emma Gwidt, Dawn Mroczkowski, Harmony Reimer, Jacob Strassburg and Deanna Zernicke were awarded Shawano County Farm Bureau scholarships.

Shawano Police Department

April 9

Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:

OWI — A 28-year-old man was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Elizabeth and Lincoln streets.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 300 block of North Franklin Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint at Bartlett Street and Lieg Avenue.

April 8

Police logged 14 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a report of a fight in progress in the 900 block of South Cleveland Street. No fight was located. Officers found an intoxicated male with two others trying to assist him.

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

Theft — A dirt bike was reported stolen in the 900 block of South Weed Street.

Disturbance — A 49-year-old man was cited for disorderly conduct after police responded to a disturbance at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.

April 7

Police logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 26-year-old woman was arrested on an outstanding warrant in the 800 block of East Richmond Street after officers responded to a 911 call that turned out to be a child playing with the phone.

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

Truancy — Police logged six truancy complaints from Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Arrest — A 26-year-old man was arrested on a probation hold in the 100 block of South Union Street.

Warrant — A 24-year-old man was arrested on a warrant in the 200 block of Teddington Lane.

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

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 9

Deputies logged 39 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road MMM in the town of Richmond.

Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen on Riverside Drive in the town of Wescott.

Auto Theft — A vehicle reported stolen on Highway 47-55 in the town of Wescott was recovered at Sturgeon Park in the city of Shawano.

Burglary — A burglary was reported on Sunrise Road in the town of Herman.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on River Drive in the town of Wescott.

April 8

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Creamery Street in the town of Angelica.

Fire — Authorities responded to a chimney fire on Elm Grove Road in the town of Pella.

Burglary — A burglary was reported on Maple Road in the town of Aniwa.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Main Street in Bowler.

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on Highway 22 in the town of Washington.

Fire — Authorities responded to grass fires in the village of Cecil, town of Aniwa and town of Birnamwood.

April 7

Deputies logged 30 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance at the Shawano County Jail, 405 N. Main St. in Shawano.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Quad Park Lane in the village of Tigerton.

Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen on North Shore Lane in the town of Wescott.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault complaint on Moh He Con Nuck Road in the village of Bowler.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Highway 22 in the town of Washington.

Shawano Police Department

April 10

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint in the 500 block of Prospect Circle.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance at Hill and Main streets.

Fire — A dumpster fire was reported in the 2900 block of East Richmond Street.

Theft — Computers were reported stolen from Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

OWL — A 56-year-old woman was cited for operating without a license at Lakeland Road and Richmond Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

April 10

Deputies logged 39 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A man was taken into custody on a warrant on Elm Street in Bowler.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road N in Birnamwood.

Theft — Property was reported stolen on Resort Road in the town of Washington.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Stony Hill Road in the town of Pella.

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

Theft — Property was reported stolen on Center Street in Birnamwood.

Clintonville Police Department

April 10

Police logged 13 incidents, including the following:

Fraud — A worthless check complaint was under investigation.

Juvenile — A juvenile runaway was reported on Harriet Street.

Accident — A three-vehicle accident was reported on South Main Street.

Shawano County’s volunteer spirit took a turn in the spotlight Tuesday at the 2017 Celebration of Giving Awards presented by the Shawano Area Community Foundation.

About 150 people assembled inside The Gathering banquet hall in Shawano for the foundation’s eighth annual awards banquet honoring some of the community’s biggest volunteers.

The festive occasion was filled with appreciation for the award recipients and with testimonials to the power of volunteerism to make Shawano County a better place.

Todd Raether, board chairman for the foundation, listed many of the nonprofit organizations that have received financial support from his organization over the years, and said he was proud to have assisted forward-thinking leaders who are making improvements for the Shawano area.

“We’re just so fortunate in this town,” Raether said. “It’s the people who live here — who love this place — who give back to the community.”

The Celebration of Giving award recipients this year were recognized for their efforts to advance the causes of 4-H youth groups, a farmers market, public health, community service and youth activism, among others.

Each honoree received a $1,000 cash prize to donate to a nonprofit community organization of their choice.

Mary Lou Kugel, recipient of the Bill Mielke Volunteer Educator Award for her work with 4-H groups, told the audience that she learned early in life the importance of 4-H for kids growing up in Shawano County. Kugel said she now leads 4-H groups to help kids assert themselves and understand the value of hard work.

“My hope for our youth is that they will find peace and purpose in being themselves,” she said.

Len Pubanz, honored with the Shawano County Community Service Award, said that while he appreciated the recognition, he said the biggest payoff for him in volunteering is the memories that he takes with him — and the gratitude that he sees in those he helps along the way.

“I get paid for volunteering,” he said. “Not in dollars, but in things that are beyond measure.”

Here is a complete list of all of Tuesday’s award recipients and their $1,000 donations:

• Shawano Community Service Award: Len Pubanz was honored for activism and volunteerism that has included supporting the Miles of Art festival, the Shawano Farmers Market and Little Free Library. Pubanz also used his cabinet-making skills to help build the “barn quilt capital” greeting on Shawano’s south side. He is donating his $1,000 award to the Shawano Farmers Market.

• Health Care Volunteer Award: Ed Grys was honored for his work with the Shawano-Menominee Community Health Action Team, a group that works to understand social issues that impact public health. The group has taken on alcohol abuse and other drug abuse, as well as related health issues for both adults and children. Grys is donating his $1,000 award to the Kids Klub at First Presbyterian Church.

• Youth Volunteer Award: Emma Schmidt was honored for her many volunteer activities at Hope Community Church, the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center and Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. As a student at Shawano Community High School, she also has been active in the National Honor Society, the Tri-M Music Honor Society and other outlets. Schmidt is donating her $1,000 award to the children’s ministries at Hope Community Church.

• Bill Mielke Volunteer Educator Award: Mary Lou Kugel was honored for her years of service to 4-H through the Waukechon Wildcats club and other related efforts. She also has given her time to Alice in Dairyland programs in Shawano County, to Brunch on the Farm, Navarino Nature Center and Shawano Community High School’s music program. Kugel is donating her $1,000 aware to the Shawano County Fair for its 4-H Youth Building renovation.

• Robert D. Nueske Wittenberg Community Service Award: Laura Magee was honored for her work as organizer of Grapple on the Gridiron, a wrestling event held annually at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School football field. The event, which raises money for charities, last year attracted more than 400 competitors and about 2,500 spectators. Magee is donating her $1,000 award to Grapple on the Gridiron.

The Shawano Area Community Foundation holds 77 charitable funds with about $7.5 million in assets. The foundation’s mission is to preserve and improve the quality of life in the community, including serving those in need.

Since the Celebration of Giving began eight years ago, volunteers have been honored with about $50,000 awarded on their behalf to area nonprofit agencies.

A former Gresham choir teacher charged with 24 felony counts, including sexual assault of a student and possession of child pornography, was bound over for trial Monday after a preliminary hearing in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court.

Timothy J. Schmidt, 69, resigned from the Gresham School District last month amid a police investigation, according to the criminal complaint. He is being held on a $100,000 cash bond.

District Attorney Greg Parker told the court that “many more” charges would be filed against Schmidt as the investigation continues and authorities continue with a forensic analysis of electronic devices owned by Schmidt.

Schmidt is scheduled to be arraigned on May 8.

It wasn’t clear who will hear that arraignment, because Schmidt’s attorney, Paul Seifert, requested a new judge for the case.

The defense is allowed to request a judicial substitution without any explicit reason.

Seifert also tried unsuccessfully to have Monday’s hearing closed to the public and the media, citing embarrassment to the alleged victim and the right of his client to a fair trial.

Judge William Kussel Jr. noted that the victim would be identified in court proceedings only by her initials and that numerous other cases have been tried in spite of media attention and by vetting of the jury pool.

Schmidt had a one-year contract with the school district that was due to expire at the end of this school year, according to testimony from Stockbridge-Munsee Police Chief Jim Hoffman.

School officials have not responded to requests for more information.

According to a statement issued by the the Gresham School District last week, school officials learned on March 21 that the music teacher was the subject of a police investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, Stockbridge-Munsee police on March 22 met with a parent of a Gresham Community School student reporting suspicious activity between Schmidt and her 16-year-old daughter.

Police were informed in the afternoon of March 23 that Schmidt had resigned, according to the complaint.

The complaint alleges the activity stretches back to October.

The investigation revealed emails between the two that included discussion of sexual contact, according to the criminal complaint, as well as alleged exchanges of nude photos.

The girl also told police about alleged sexual encounters with Schmidt and gifts he had allegedly given her, some of which were sexual in nature and which she found “embarrassing,” according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, a school counselor was told in December about a bracelet Schmidt allegedly had given to the girl and a note written to her.

The complaint states Principal Newell Haffner warned Schmidt on March 14 that a ride home he had given the girl was inappropriate. Schmidt was also told by Haffner on March 16 that it was inappropriate for the girl to be having lunch in his office with the door closed and locked, according to the complaint.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department performed forensic examinations of computer devices belonging to Schmidt to determine whether sexual photos had been exchanged, according to the complaint.

The examination turned up more than 1,000 images of suspected child pornography, according to the criminal complaint, and a new search warrant was requested.

Schmidt is charged with felony counts of sexual assault of a student by school staff, child enticement, causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity, exposing a child to harmful materials, sexual exploitation of a child, and 19 counts of possession of child pornography.

Schmidt could face a maximum 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine on the sexual exploitation charge if convicted, and 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine on each of the child pornography counts.

Shawano city officials Tuesday accepted a check from the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce Tourism Council to help pay for the first phase of planned improvements to Franklin Park, but it will be up to the Common Council to decide whether there will be a Phase 2.

Voters in a non-binding advisory referendum last week overwhelmingly supported up to $1.85 million in additional borrowing for park improvements.

That question will be on the Common Council’s agenda Wednesday.

Phase 1 of the Franklin Park project, which got underway last week, is not related to the referendum.

The Phase 1 project includes an archway at the main entrance at the northeast corner of the park, at Division and Washington streets; landscaping with native plantings; a concrete walkway; 18 parking stalls; electric utilities available for the farmers market and other public use; lighting at the main entrance and the east entrance across from the civic center; a 1o-foot-wide sidewalk on the other side of the parking stalls; and a pedestrian crossing across Washington Street from the park to the civic center parking lot.

Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the first week in June.

“If everything sticks to timeline, we should be all right,” said Park and Recreation Director Matt Hendricks.

Mayor Jeanne Cronce said the city was thrilled that the referendum passed and was proud of the community support.

“Hopefully this project will get done quick and everyone will be happy with the results,” she said.

The council approved a budget amendment in February to cover higher than expected costs on the first phase of development plans for Franklin Park.

The city was projecting a maximum $140,000 for the Phase 1 project, but the lowest of five contractor bids, from Martell Construction Co. of Green Bay, came in at more than $185,000.

The council voted 3-1 to grant the bid to Martell and amend the budget, with Alderman Bob Kurkiewicz voting no. Council members Sandy Steinke and John Hoeffs were absent.

The amendment will add $55,000 in borrowing for the Phase 1 development, which will add 0.14 percent to the 2018 tax levy and 0.013 cents per $1,000 to the tax bill. That will work out to an additional $1.30 in taxes per year on a $100,000 home for each of the 10 years of the life of the loan.

The $30,000 grant awarded Tuesday comes from the Shawano Country Tourism Development Fund Committee

“The purpose of the Tourism Development Fund is to develop new or expanded visitor attractions that will encourage overnight stays and tourist spending in Shawano and Menominee counties,” said Nancy Smith, chamber of commerce executive director.

The primary source of financial support for the fund is revenue from a 1 1/2 percent room tax collected by lodging properties within the city and town of Wescott.

Phase 1 is also being supported by $15,000 donated by the Rotary and $20,000 from the Egan Foundation.

Further park improvements would be funded by the borrowing approved by voters last week.

At Franklin Park, the improvements would include an amphitheater for music, movies and community events; public restrooms, and pavilion space available for public rental; a water fountain with benches and trees for visual interest; parking, electrical, landscaping and infrastructure to accommodate community events; walkways, picnic tables and benches; and space for a future playground.

At Smalley Park, plans call for a park pavilion with restroom facilities and a rentable picnic shelter; a canoe and kayak launch; boat landings and boat slips; improved parking, lighting and security; walking trails that connect all of the major park features; trees and other native plantings, including native plantings along the waterway to deter geese; and continued revitalization of the beach and the improvement of beach amenities.

The plan also calls for a splash pad to replace the kiddie pool at Memorial Park.

The 20-year loan would mean an estimated annual tax increase of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $25 for a $100,000 home.