Balloons bearing messages of love and remembrance wafted up into the cloudy skies over state Highway 29 Saturday afternoon, sent aloft by family and friends of a Michigan man from the spot where he died one year ago.

“We just wrote little messages to him, little love letters to him,” said his mother, Eileen Edwards.

Timothy J. Meade, 22, of Stephenson, Mich., was found at 2:30 a.m. June 28, 2013, in the eastbound lane of traffic on County Road M at the Highway 29 overpass.

The case remains unsolved.

If Edwards could talk to the driver, she said there is only one thing she would say.

“What happened?”

Shawano County sheriff’s detectives have been able to piece together a few facts.

Meade had been visiting friends in the area and was headed back to their residence after leaving a nearby drinking establishment, they said. He left the establishment sometime after 1:30 a.m. Several witnesses reported seeing him walking.

Detectives determined Meade was struck sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. by an SUV or large vehicle that would have been headed eastbound on County Road M.

Autopsy results indicate Meade was lying down in the road at the time he was struck.

At a news conference prior to the balloon release, Sheriff Randy Wright detailed some of the investigative work that has been done over the past year, including “watching traffic patterns, witness interviews, checking video at car washes and repair shops, and checking tens of vehicles.”

But, Wright said, “we have no firm leads at this time.”

Wright implored the driver of the vehicle or anyone with information to come forward for the sake of the family.

“As with anyone who loses a loved one, they want closure to what happened and why it happened,” he said.

Wright, as well as lead investigator on the case, Detective Wade Wudtke, had previously said they did not expect any charges to be filed.

They previously speculated the driver might not have seen Meade given the dark conditions and the crest of the bridge at that location.

But Wright said Saturday he couldn’t rule charges out.

“I’m not going to say there’s no penalties or charges that may be coming, but it may not be as bad as what you think or have in your mind if you come in and talk to us,” he said. “We need to have the facts to determine the next step.”

The Sheriff’s Department can be reached at 715-526-3111.

Shawano Police Department

June 29

Police logged 17 incidents, including the following:

Bail Jumping — Police investigated a bail jumping complaint in the 300 block of East Stevens Street.

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

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 100 block of South Lafayette Street.

Assault — Police investigated an assault at the Skate Park, 107 E. Elizabeth St.

June 28

Police logged 13 incidents, including the following:

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

Vandalism — A pool was reported vandalized in the 1200 block of East Ridlington Avenue.

Theft — Flowers were reported stolen from a grave at Woodlawn Cemetery, 100 Woodlawn Drive.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of East Maurer Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Zingler and Cleveland streets.

June 27

Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of West First Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 800 block of East Ridlington Avenue.

Disorderly — Police responded to a lewd and lascivious behavior complaint at Elizabeth and Evergreen streets.

Theft — Money was reported stolen from a purse left in a dressing room at Goodwill Industries, 300 Lakeland Road.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of South Washington Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 29

Deputies logged 40 incidents, including the following:

Vandalism — A vehicle was reported vandalized at the Shawano County Fairgrounds, 900 E. Green Bay St. in Shawano.

Warrant — A 30-year-old Shawano woman was taken into custody on a warrant on Putnam Lane in Bowler.

Drug Offense — A 29-year-old Green Bay man was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Warrington Avenue in Cecil.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance involving a juvenile on Amber Lane in Belle Plaine.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress on Old Lake Road in Wescott.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary to a residence on Brotherhood Lane in Tigerton.

Accidents — Authorities logged an injury accident in the town of Washington and two deer-related crashes.

June 28

Deputies logged 46 incidents, including the following:

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Witt-Birn Town Line Road in Birnamwood.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Fourth Street in Mattoon.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Upper Red Lake Road in Red Springs.

Disturbance — A 41-year-old Green Bay man and a 22-year-old Green Bay woman were taken into custody on outstanding warrants after a disturbance at Shawano County Park, W5785 Lake Drive in Wescott.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Morajega Road in Birnamwood.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a domestic disturbance on Plum Lane in Richmond.

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

June 27

Deputies logged 50 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — A charge of disorderly conduct was referred against a 33-year-old Bowler man after authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint on Moh He Con Nuck Road in Bowler.

OAR — A 31-year-old Oneida man was cited for operating after revocation on state Highway 29 in Waukechon.

OWI — A 47-year-old Luxemburg woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated on state Highway 29 in Richmond.

Disturbance — A 30-year-old Shawano man was arrested for disorderly conduct after a domestic disturbance on Sandy Drive in the town of Washington.

Warrant — A 24-year-old Keshena woman was arrested on a warrant and a charge of obstructing on Bartelt Street in Gresham.

Assault — A sexual assault on County Road R in the town of Washington was under investigation.

Accidents — Authorities logged an injury accident on County Road BB in Green Valley and three deer-related crashes.

The Clintonville Police Department received a report of a full-grown black bear sighting near Clintonville Middle School at 8:41 a.m. Saturday.

Clintonville officers and a State Patrol trooper monitored the bear as it made its way through the community. The bear was last seen at 3:45 p.m. Saturday going east toward the wooded area along Pigeon River on 16th Street, near the industrial park.

Bear sightings in the community are rare and generally occur around the same time of the year. There were two bear sightings in Clintonville in 2013.

Residents are asked to notify police if a bear is spotted and to stay clear of the area to let police handle the situation. In the past, the bears made their way back to the woods outside the community.

— Grace Kirchner, correspondent

A Gillett woman accused of robbing a Main Street grocery store at knifepoint Friday made a quick change as part of her attempted getaway, but was spotted dumping her clothes into the garbage, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday.

Brenda S. Webster, 56, could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 fine if found guilty of armed robbery.

Webster allegedly entered the Guerrero Grocery, 520 S. Main St., shortly before 6 p.m. wearing a black ski mask and threatened the store owner with a steak knife.

The complaint alleges Webster took a money bag containing about $4,000 from behind the counter and started to leave the store.

According to the complaint, Webster dropped the money bag on her way out of the store, and the store owner tried picking it up, but Webster allegedly pushed her over and fled with the bag.

Webster is also charged with misdemeanor battery for causing injury to the store owner.

Moments after police got the call about an armed robbery, another call came in reporting a suspicious person behind the 400 block of West Sawyer Street.

A witness told police she saw a woman come into her yard. The woman took off her socks and crawled in and out of a garbage bin. Then she fled, running north.

Webster was arrested moments later on East Randall Street, four blocks away from the crime scene.

Police later found dark-colored clothing, shoes, a pair of white socks and a blue glove in the garbage bin, according to the complaint.

Webster was ordered held on a $15,000 cash bond after an initial appearance in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Monday.

She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Monday.

Cecil residents can help decide the future of their post office at a meeting with U.S. Postal Service representatives July 23.

Residents last month were mailed a survey asking them to choose between maintaining the office with reduced hours, providing delivery service using rural carriers or highway contract routes, seeking out a business within the community to establish a Village Post Office or merging with a nearby post office.

“Most of the time we keep the office open because we don’t like to close them down (entirely),” USPS spokesperson Sean Hargadon said. “We rarely close offices, less than 1 percent.”

Cecil’s post office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8-10 a.m. Saturday.

A reduction in hours could result in weekday hours being cut by two hours daily, while maintaining Saturday hours.

“The impact will be very small,” Hargadon said. “We are making adjustments based on community needs and desires. We will still be able to provide the same retail sales.”

Village residents will have until July 9 to submit their surveys by mail indicating which of the four options they prefer.

Postal officials will tally results and present the findings to village residents at the meeting July 23. The USPS will make a final decision after the meeting, where residents are encouraged to ask questions and clarify details with Postal Service representatives.

While there are no official records available of how long Cecil has operated a post office, the first postmaster was installed in 1884.

The post office is one of 13,000 rural offices set to be reviewed under the Postal Services’s 2011 realignment program.

The realignment plan was initiated in response to a 50 percent decline in Postal Service revenue since 2004. Postal officials initially planned to close 3,700 of the 13,000 offices in 2011, but most of the closings have been postponed twice in the last three years.

There have been no recent closures of any post offices in Wisconsin under the plan.

Shawano Police Department

June 30

Police logged 32 incidents, including the following:

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Disturbance — Police responded to a verbal dispute at the Four Seasons Resort, 201 N. Airport Drive.

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident at Aldi’s, 1253 E. Green Bay St.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 200 block of River Heights.

Fireworks — Police responded to a fireworks complaint at Lincoln and Maurer streets.

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 200 block of South Washington Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 30

Deputies logged 38 incidents, including the following:

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Hiawatha Court in Wescott.

Theft — Fire wood was reported stolen from a trailer on Springbrook Road in the town of Washington.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Oak Ridge Lane in Red Springs.

Vandalism — A mailbox was reported vandalized on Schoenrock Lake Road in Belle Plaine.

Fireworks — Authorities responded to a fireworks complaint on County Road A in Richmond.

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

Accidents — Authorities logged two deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

June 30

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — Officers were requested for an unwanted subject on West Campus Drive.

Accident — A property damage accident on South Main Street was reported.

Disturbance — Officers responded to Bennett Street for a reported uncontrollable juvenile.

Disorderly — A disorderly conduct incident was reported on 17th Street.

Shawano Police Department

July 1

Police logged 32 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint at the intersection of Eagle Street and Franklin Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint in the 100 block of Northridge Drive.

Disorderly — Police responded to a complaint of an intoxicated female in the 400 block of Picnic Street.

Threatening — Police responded to a complaint about threatening telephone calls on Homewood Avenue.

Fraud — Police investigated a complaint of fraud in the 300 block of South Franklin Street.

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

Theft — A cellular phone was reported stolen from a vehicle in the Walmart parking lot, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

July 1

Deputies logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary in the 100 block of East Park Street in the town of Hartland.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious person complaint at North Star Casino, W12222 County Road A in Gresham.

Suspicious — Authorities responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Big Lake Road in Red Springs.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a report of a juvenile runaway in the 700 block of South Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Accidents — Authorities logged three accidents, including and injury accident on County Road MMM in Richmond and two deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

July 1

Police logged five incidents, including the following:

Property — Police investigated a report of damage to multiple mailboxes on Seventh Street.

Accident — Police responded to an accident involving a deer and car at the intersection of West Madison Street and West Street.

The Shawano Plan Commission on Wednesday rejected a proposed facility that would have housed recently released felons, leaving the state Department of Corrections with nowhere to send them starting next month.

The DOC had contracted with ATTIC Correctional Services for an eight-bed facility at 227 E. Richmond St. in Shawano, replacing the New Era House at 105 E. Richmond St. The contract called for ATTIC to provide transitional housing services for convicted felons that are under the DOC’s supervision, including recently released sex offenders.

New Era’s contract was set to expire June 30, but was extended until the end of July so the matter could go before the Plan Commission and Common Council.

The commission’s vote, however, means the matter will not go to the council for consideration.

Commissioners voted 7-1 against a special exception to the zoning code that would have allowed the facility.

Public Works Coordinator Eddie Sheppard cast the sole vote in favor. Commission member Dave Passehl was absent.

In calling for the vote, Mayor Lorna Marquardt, who chairs the commission, clearly encouraged rejection of the proposal.

“Think about if you were placing this vote for this facility to be next door in your home, in your neighborhood, next door to you, would you make the same vote?” she said.

Marquardt noted the New Era House would continue to operate, though not as a DOC-contracted facility, and the proposed ATTIC facility would double the number of offenders in the neighborhood.

“This area is going to have an abundance of these people,” she said.

Nearly two dozen residents turned out for a public hearing on the facility before the commission vote.

“I don’t feel safe with it being such a residential area,” Adina Bunke said.

Bunke said she was also concerned about the turnover of residents at the facility, most of whom would be staying there for 60 days.

“That’s a lot of different people in and out of our neighborhood,” she said.

“Our greatest concern is the kids in the church,” said John Meyer, president of nearby Peace United Church of Christ at 208 E. Maurer St. “With our kids’ activities, this is not a good spot.”

Elaine Knope also noted the facility would be within a block of the Skate Park and Memorial Park, and near a major through-way for children on their way to school.

Vicki Trebian, chief executive officer of ATTIC Correctional Services, and Julie Krause, DOC field supervisor in Shawano, sought to allay residents’ concerns, assuring them that clients of the facility would wear either GPS or electronic monitoring devices.

Though no one would be supervising them at the facility, the clients would be checked up on by staff three times a day, in addition to visits by a DOC case manager.

Krause told the Plan Commission that the alternative would mean releasing convicted felons into the community with no structured living arrangement, and no way to monitor them beyond their reporting in to the DOC once a day.

Trebian said after the vote that it was very disappointing for the clients that need the services in the Shawano area.

“People are going to be homeless. They’re going to be without services and it’s going to be hard to monitor these people in your community,” she said.

Trebian said ATTIC had been looking for a facility in the city since January and the location proposed was the only one that would have accommodated the facility’s needs.

Jim Hoffman owns the house at 227 E. Richmond St. and had intended to rent it to ATTIC.

He noted the New Era House is only a block away and closer to Sacred Heart church and school.

He said he didn’t think the commission’s vote would be good for the city.

“You’re not going to know where these people are,” he said.

Rose Thiel, who is on the city’s Sexual Predator Ordinance Committee, also supported the ATTIC facility.

She said there had never been a problem with offenders placed at the New Era House re-offending, and the facility allowed the DOC and law enforcement to keep track of them.

“Who knows now when they get out of jail where they’re going to go?” she said.

A 20-year-old Shawano man died Wednesday afternoon in a vehicle versus pedestrian accident, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said.

Alex Mastey was struck by a pickup truck just after 4:30 p.m. on County Road K north of County Road T in the town of Waukechon.

The driver of the pickup truck, Blair Christianson, 23, of Shiocton, was not injured, the Sheriff’s Department said.

County Highway K was closed for about four hours following the incident.

Sheriff’s deputies, State Patrol, Shawano Ambulance Service and the Shawano County Highway Department responded to the scene.

The accident was still under investigation.

Shawano Police Department

July 2

Police logged 17 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — The school liaison officer responded to an issue with a student at summer school at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at the Wisconsin House, 216 E. Green Bay St.

Noise — Police responded to a noise complaint in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

July 2

Deputies logged 50 incidents, including the following:

Theft — Gift cards were reported stolen from St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Cecil.

Fraud — Authorities investigated an identity theft complaint on County Road D in Pella.

Vandalism — A garage door was reported vandalized on Red River Road in the town of Herman.

Fireworks — Authorities responded to fireworks complaints in Wittenberg, Wescott and Gresham.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a report of a fight in progress on Poplar Road in Richmond.

Accidents — Authorities logged five deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

July 2

Police logged 13 incidents, including the following:

Assault — A sexual assault complaint was under investigation.

Disorderly — Police responded to a complaint of an intoxicated male at a business on West Madison Street.

Animal — Police responded to four separate complaints of stray dogs, including one that was captured, placed in the pound and escaped.

The Fourth of July weekend has arrived with the usual holiday festivities, including parades, brat and burger picnics, fireworks displays and, of course, fireworks of the illegal variety.

Shawano police and Shawano County sheriff’s deputies have already logged numerous fireworks complaints over the past week, in spite of the possibility of fines being levied for their use.

Both the city and the county have fireworks ordinances on the books prohibiting the use of anything that shoots up into the air and/or explodes.

The ordinances are in line with state statutes that make those type of fireworks illegal to use, even though they are legal to buy and sell for licensed dealers.

Sparklers, confetti poppers, snakes and noise makers are among the legal variety, with no age restrictions for their use.

Anything that contains more than one-fourth of a grain of explosives falls into the illegal category.

In some municipalities, permits are available. In Shawano, for example, a permit costs $50, and you’ll also need $1 million in liability coverage.

Police Chief Mark Kohl said those permits are usually requested for events such as block parties and family reunions.

Even with the fireworks permit, there must be adult supervision of their use. There also must not be any fire hazard nearby and some way to extinguish the fire if one breaks out.

In the city, use of illegal fireworks without a permit can net a fine of $189 for the first offense and $313 for the second.

However, Lt. Dan Mauel said, most users are let off with a warning the first time.

A warning is also typically the first response for sheriff’s deputies, but the county’s ordinance also calls for a possible fine of $263.50.

The county’s fireworks ordinance also covers the sale of fireworks by anyone without a license. Violations could bring a fine of $767.50.

The Shawano School District will receive an estimated 5.15 percent more in state aid in the 2014-15 school year than this year, according to estimates released this week by the Department of Public Instruction.

More than half of Wisconsin’s 424 public school districts also will receive increases, according to the DPI.

The DPI projects Shawano will receive $13.4 million in general aid for 2014-15, up from $12.7 million this year.

Three other area districts — Marion, Gresham and Menominee Indian — also will receive more aid, according to the projections, while Bonduel, Bowler, Clintonville, Tigerton and Wittenberg-Birnamwood would get less aid than this year.

Officials cautioned, however, that the projections are just estimates and that final numbers won’t be known until October.

“If we get that much, it would be great, but not all districts have submitted their audits to the state,” said Louise Fischer, Shawano School District business manager.

State statutes require the DPI to submit estimates to each school district by July 1. The districts use the estimates as they prepare their budgets for the following school year.

“We have a placeholder for equalized aid, and between now through early October are just estimates,” Fischer said.

The final aid numbers are dependent on the official enrollment count, which is taken on the third Friday of September, property values from each of the 424 districts and shared costs of each district. The DPI certifies the general aid amounts on Oct. 15.

Shawano School District received $11.9 million in state aid in 2011-12, $12.1 million in 2012-13 and $12.7 million in 2013-14.

Statewide, general school aid is set at $4.5 billion for 2014-15, a 2.1 percent increase over this year. Actual aid payments are estimated at $4.3 billion because of reductions for the Milwaukee school voucher program and independent charter schools in Racine and Milwaukee counties.

The DPI’s July estimates do not include per-pupil categorical aid, which will be paid in March. The appropriation for that aid is $127 million, or $150 per pupil, a $75 per-pupil increase over 2013-14.

Shawano Police Department

July 3

Police logged 40 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 27-year-old Cecil man was taken into custody on a warrant after a traffic stop at Green Bay Street and Green Bay Court.

Vandalism — A vehicle was reported vandalized in the 500 block of West Division Street.

Fraud — Police investigated a fraud complaint in the 900 block of South Washington Street.

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

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 100 block of South Main Street.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 1300 block of East Green Bay Street.

Fireworks — Police responded to a fireworks complaint in the 900 block of South Bartlett Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Theft — A bike was reported stolen in the 300 block of South Washington Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

July 3

Deputies logged 51 incidents, including the following:

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

Drug Offense — The Ho-Chunk Casino, N7198 U.S. Highway 45 in Wittenberg, reported finding drug paraphernalia by one of the gaming machines.

OWI — A 27-year-old Neopit man was arrested for operating while intoxicated and auto theft after putting what turned out to be a stolen car into a ditch along state Highway 29 in Maple Grove.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a lewd and lascivious behavior complaint on Highway 29 in Hartland.

Vandalism — Authorities investigated a criminal damage complaint at the Shawano County Jail, 405 N. Main St. in Shawano.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road A in Bowler.

Warrant — A 34-year-old Keshena woman was arrested on a warrant on Highway 29 in the town of Waukechon.

OAR — A 22-year-old Appleton man was cited for operating after revocation on Highway 29 in Waukechon.

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

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Grand Avenue in Wittenberg.

Fireworks — Authorities responded to a fireworks complaint on Swan Acres in the town of Washington.

Clintonville Police Department

July 3

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Noise — Officers responded to a noise complaint on Bennett Street.

Fire — A fire call was reported on Hemlock Street.

Fireworks — A firework violation was reported on Memorial Circle.

Jane Wonderling will be making a large transition as the new principal of Bonduel High School.

The Prairie du Chien native will succeed Patrick Rau, who was elevated to the role of district superintendent following the retirement of Peter Behnke.

Wonderling began her new job July 1.

“The biggest challenge was to get moved from Prairie du Chien and get my family settled down here,” Wonderling said. “From the school side, it will be familiarizing myself with not only the students but the families and community.”

She and her husband, Tom, have been married 10 years and will reside in Pulcifer in the town of Green Valley. They have two sons: Dillon, who attends the University of Minnesota-Mankato, and Kirk, who goes to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Wonderling was part of the Prairie du Chien School District for 16 years before taking a role as internal building coach, tasked with developing goals and objectives for students, at Dodgeville High School last year.

She received her undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1985 and 1990, respectively, her principal license from Winona State University in Minnesota in 2012, and certification as director of special education and pupil services from Viterbo University in La Crosse this year.

One of the programs that attracted Wonderling to Bonduel was the school’s partnerships with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and UW-Green Bay, she said.

Wonderling also likes that her predecessor will be nearby and available to help.

“I think it’s a wonderful situation where Patrick worked under Dr. Behnke, and to have that support is critical,” she said.

While she will miss some of her colleagues, friends and family in Dodgeville and Prairie du Chien, Wonderling said she expects to be comfortable working the Bonduel School District.

“The staff I worked with, administration I worked with were outstanding (at Dodgeville). I noticed similarities between there and Bonduel, so I knew it was a good opportunity,” she said.

Her family supported the move.

“When an opportunity like this arises, you have to take advantage of it and my whole family is very proud of this achievement,” Wonderling said.

For now, Wonderling is getting to know the Bonduel community and said she looks forward to meeting with parents and students when the school year starts.

A Shawano man convicted of robbing the CoVantage Credit Union last year was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison and another 10 years extended supervision.

Darrin H. Church, 48, pleaded no contest in March to charges of using the threat of force to rob the CoVantage Credit Union at 911 E. Green Bay St., Shawano, and attempting to rob Cash Tyme at 705 E. Green Bay St.

Church also pleaded no contest to several misdemeanor counts in two other cases, including issuing worthless checks, bail jumping and defrauding a taxicab driver.

A few hours before the CoVantage robbery, Church took a City Cab to Bonduel and back, then refused to pay the $40 fare.

According to the criminal complaint, Church walked into the CoVantage Credit Union just after 3:30 p.m. April 8, 2013, and passed a note to the teller demanding money.

Shortly before the CoVantage robbery, he passed a similar note to a teller at Cash Tyme, then told the teller it was only a joke. Earlier in the day he visited another bank, where he also wrote a robbery note but didn’t use it.

Church made off with more than $6,000 in cash from CoVantage but was arrested a short time later. The money was recovered. Church was a customer of the credit union, according to the criminal complaint.

“Maybe not the the most intelligent action of committing a crime,” District Attorney Greg Parker said.

However, Parker said, Church showed a “level of sophistication” in the way he cased the financial institutions before robbing CoVantage.

Parker also outlined Church’s previous criminal record, which included burglary, disorderly conduct, possession of a firearm, issuing worthless checks and a conviction in federal court of making false and fraudulent statements.

Parker also emphasized a doctor’s evaluation of Church calling into question initial claims of incompetency.

Church was initially found to be not competent to stand trial after a court hearing in June 2013, but it was also determined he could become competent if treated.

He was ordered held for treatment and incarcerated at the Mendota Mental Health Institute until a November court hearing, at which he was found to be competent.

Parker said the doctor’s report concluded that Church had been faking his incompetency. He said it showed a pattern of manipulation.

“He is an opportunist,” Parker said. “He is a thief. He is a dishonest person.”

Parker’s recommended sentence was the same as imposed by the court Wednesday.

Defense attorney Steven Weerts had requested probation for Church, calling the time he has spent been in custody since his arrest in April 2013 adequate punishment.

Weerts cited Church’s mental and medical problems, including neurological damage from muscular sclerosis, as factors in Church’s crimes.

“We see a lot of problems here and probably reasons for his behavior,” Weerts said.

Church also cited his confused mental state in his statement to the court.

“I just want to apologize for being here,” he said. “It’s not me, to do a thing like this.”

In passing sentence, Judge William Kussel Jr. said there was a “pattern of dishonesty” in Church’s behavior.

He noted that Church performed poorly on memory tests when being evaluated for competency but had no memory problems otherwise.

“Muscular sclerosis can affect memory, but it can’t affect it in a selective manner,” Kussel said.

Objections from industrial customers might shift some of the burden of a proposed hike in electric rates to smaller customers, despite initial projections that they wouldn’t be affected.

The state Public Service Commission held a review July 2 of Shawano Municipal Utilities’ request for a rate increase and decided to split the increase 60-40 between industrial and smaller customers.

That means small businesses and residential users would also see an increase if the split goes forward.

SMU is looking for a rate of return that would generate an additional $610,000 a year. The PSC determines how those additional costs are allocated among SMU customers.

Though a 60-40 split has been traditional for many rate increases, a PSC rate analysis initially concluded large commercial and industrial customers needed to pay a greater share this time. Their bills would have gone up anywhere from 2 to 6.6 percent, depending on their size.

That was before a hearing in May at which representatives from Aarrowcast and the Shawano Paper Mill voiced their concerns about the increase.

The paper mill and Aarrowcast are the only two customers in the CP-4 category of SMU’s large industrial companies, which would have seen a total increase of $208,000 a year in their electric bills. That works out to an increase for Aarrowcast of about $128,000 per year.

Shawano Paper Mill estimated the increase would cost the company an additional $80,000 a year.

The companies advocated using the traditional 60-40 allocation instead.

Brian Knapp, SMU general manager and city administrator, said it’s likely now that small commercial users and residential customers would see an increase “as a result of large customer intervention” in the rate case.

Knapp said the 60-40 split is consistent with past practices and an argument could be made that it’s reasonable.

Knapp said he hasn’t yet seen the new PSC rate analysis and doesn’t yet know what the impact will be.

SMU has until Monday afternoon to respond to the new analysis, but it’s still unknown what that response will be.

“We’re calculating the impact of the change,” Knapp said.

SMU originally requested an increase that would allow for a 5.5 percent rate of return in net revenue, with hopes that a rate increase would be in place by the end of last year.

Delays in the approval process led PSC to suggest the utility request a 6.25 percent rate of return, which the SMU Commission voted to support.

SMU last increased its rates in 2010 after being given approval for a 4 percent rate of return, but revenue has fallen short since then due to a decrease in industrial power use and higher labor costs.

The utility had a rate of return of only 1.07 percent for 2013, compared to 3.21 percent in 2012.

Because of the economic conditions at the time, the SMU Commission had mixed feelings about its 2010 rate hike and initially debated asking for a 6 percent rate of return before settling on a request for 4 percent.

However, some commissioners felt it was inevitable the utility would have to come back and ask for more.

People have been asked to stay out of the Pigeon River in Clintonville as the Department of Natural Resources investigates a wastewater release from a dairy farm located along Reinke Road.

DNR officials say the wastewater flowed into Honey Creek, a local tributary that discharges to the Pigeon River, last week. Honey Creek flows into the Pigeon River near the Memorial Bridge in Clintonville.

DNR and city officials decided to post signs along the river, from where the creek flows into the river through WA Olen Park. People have been advised not to wade, swim or fish in the water. Pets also should be kept out of the water and should not drink the water.

The DNR has confirmed that the discharge from the farm has stopped, though wastewater already released is still impacting Honey Creek. The DNR is working with local officials to investigate the incident.

The farm, which has a DNR wastewater discharge permit, is taking actions to collect released wastewater.

For information, contact DNR spill coordinator Tauren Beggs at 920-662-5178 or TaurenBeggs@wisconsin.gov.

For the second time in two months, the Clintonville Common Council has told the city administrator to go home.

The council voted 7-3 Tuesday to indefinitely place Lisa Kotter on administrative leave, with pay.

Voting in favor were Jeannie Schley, Mary Beth Kuester, Greg Rose, John Wilson, Jim Krause, Gloria Dunlavy and Jerry Jorgenson. Voting no were Bill Zeinert, Phil Rath and Mark Doornink.

Kotter was initially suspended by the council on May 13 pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.

On Tuesday, Kotter asked the council to adjourn into closed session to discuss the allegations against her. The council voted instead to approve the agenda with the request deleted.

“It has been two months and you have never spoken to me,” Kotter said. “The five things that I have been accused of can’t be discussed. You don’t care what I have to say.”

Doornink said he thought it was ridiculous that the council would not discuss the issues with Kotter.

“I only want to tell you my side,” Kotter said. “You are not treating employees fairly.”

Mayor Judith Magee, who vetoed a council vote in May to extend Kotter’s suspension, said she was concerned about resolving the conflict.

“It is time to help the city move forward,” said Magee, who could not be reached by the Leader to determine if she was considering vetoing Tuesday’s vote.

Attorney Warren Kraft was hired to investigate the allegations against Kotter following the May 13 suspension and later made a presentation to the council in closed session, but the allegations have not been discussed publicly.

The council voted 6-4 on May 27 to extend Kotter’s suspension and refer allegations of misconduct to the city’s labor attorney. Magee vetoed that vote on June 2, and Kotter returned to work.

On June 10, the council, with a 6-4 vote, failed to override Magee’s veto, falling one vote short of the required supermajority.

Jorgenson, who voted against the suspension extension and the veto override, on Tuesday voted in favor of placing Kotter on leave.

Many city residents spoke in support of Kotter and Magee at the June meeting, which had to be moved from City Hall to the Community Center because of the overflow crowd.

At the citizens forum prior to Tuesday’s council meeting, residents again chastised council members for the feud.

Charlotte Olmsted, manager of Econo Foods in Clintonville, said some council members were not listening to their constituents.

“Don’t continue the witch hunt, and appreciate what (Kotter) has done for the community,” she said. “Make this a city our children can be proud of.”

Shawano Police Department

July 9

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a male juvenile in custody for shoplifting.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 600 block of South Lafayette Street.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint in the 700 block of South Main Street.

Warrant — A 26-year-old Bowler woman was arrested on a warrant after a traffic stop at Fifth and Ellis streets.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem at Fairview and Center streets.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

July 9

Sheriff’s deputies logged 43 incidents, including the following:

Animal — A caller reported being chased by a bear on Fairview Road in Bowler.

OWS — A 21-year-old Suring man was cited for operating while suspended after an accident on County Road R in the town of Waukechon.

Burglary — Authorities investigated a burglary on Gollnow Road in the town of Grant.

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

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

Fire — Authorities responded to a shed fire on Hemlock Road in Wittenberg.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance at Arby’s, N4543 State Highway 22, in Belle Plaine.

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

In the 20 years Jamie and Dominic Mastey have worked on their farm near Bonduel, twin cows have always added up to a total of, well, two.

But when their son Elijah began his chores early June 27, they were all shocked when he discovered their cow Princess, who was expected to have twins, lying in a pasture with three calves.

“Elijah went out to get the cows that morning at about 5 a.m., and he called us about five after and said, ‘Princess had triplets,’” Jamie Mastey said.

Princess gave birth to two heifers and a bull, a rare occurrence among cows.

Joel Franks, the farm’s veterinarian from Valley Veterinary Clinic in Seymour, said research conducted by Dr. Paul Fricke of the University of Wisconsin-Madison department of dairy science suggests the odds of a cow giving birth to healthy triplets is around one-third of 1 percent.

Franks said he has only seen one other cow pregnant with triplets, but one of the calves did not survive.

“It’s pretty uncommon that all three calves are born viable,” Franks said.

While the triplets are exciting, the Masteys have been puzzled by the large number of twin calves born on their farm this year.

Three sets of twins were born prior to the triplets, and another three sets are on their way. Princess, who created the largest buzz with her triplets, is a twin herself.

Franks said the percentage of twin and triplet calves born on farms has increased. He said the trend is a result of improved nutrition and living conditions for cows.

According to Franks, a cow in a comfortable environment will produce more milk, which in turn causes them to produce more eggs, creating better chances for multiple calves.

“It’s actually a compliment to (the Masteys) farm management and the health of their cattle,” Franks said.

Mastey said Princess was initially due July 12, but the triplets caused early birthing. Despite the early delivery, Princess and the calves managed to come through with no complications and are all healthy.

“Princess did it by herself; we did nothing,” Mastey said. ” We just found her in the pasture with three babies.”

Mastey said the only other time she has seen triplet calves born in the area was a couple of years ago on the Zernicke farm in Bonduel.

The Masteys are still coming up with names for the calves, but in the meantime they are just happy the calves are healthy and that they could experience something so rare.

The Masteys have around 75 cows and the same amount of young stock.