Two men, including one identified as a basketball coach, were arrested in Shawano County Friday after allegedly arranging to meet with children for sexual encounters, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department said.

In one of the cases, a concerned parent alerted sheriff’s detectives Thursday to some disturbing text messages received by her 13-year-old son.

The boy’s mother reported that her son had attended a local basketball camp on Tuesday and, after garnering some unusual attention from one of the coaches, began receiving text messages that were at first supportive of the young man’s athletic talent, but gradually seemed suggestive.

Sheriff’s detectives subsequently took over the electronic communications with the full support of the concerned family, the sheriff’s department said.

As the conversations between the suspect and detectives continued, they grew beyond suggestive and into the realm of being sexually explicit, with the suspect coordinating a personal encounter for Friday evening.

Detectives agreed to the meeting and at about 8 p.m. a 23-year-old Portland, Oregon man was arrested on charges of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement.

He is currently being held in the Shawano County Jail. The incident remains under investigation.

At the same time authorities were involved in that investigation, detectives were also communicating with a 27-year-old Shawano man, the sheriff’s department said.

The suspect allegedly had been engaged in sexually explicit communications over the course of several days with an individual he believed was a 15-year-old girl.

The man arranged to meet with the supposed 15-year-old and was taken into custody when he arrived for the rendezvous at about 9:20 p.m. He is facing the same potential charges as the other man.

It is the Leader’s policy not to publish the names of individuals arrested until formal charges have been filed.

The arrests bring to six the number of suspects taken into custody over the past three weeks as part of the sheriff’s department’s ongoing efforts to identify individuals using the Internet to set up sexual encounters with juveniles.

Sheriff Adam Bieber said the first arrest Friday was unique in that the initial contact was made between an adult and an actual 13-year-old child.

The other cases involved detectives posing as a child.

Bieber said the incident demonstrates the necessity of such preventative operations.

“In this case, a vigilant mother identified that a provocative conversation was being held with her son and took the actions necessary to prevent both immediate and perhaps future victimization,” Bieber said.

No further information about the incidents was being released Friday.

Shawano Police Department

Oct. 18

Police logged 15 incidents, including the following:

Sex Offense — A 48-year-old man was taken into custody after police investigated a sex offense in the 2400 block of East Richmond Street.

Disturbance — A 50-year-old Shawano man was arrested on charges of battery, strangulation and false imprisonment after a domestic disturbance in the 1200 block of South Lafayette Street

Oct. 17

Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 200 block of North Bartlett Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of Northridge Drive.

Fraud — Police responded to a fraud complaint at Luigi’s Pizza Palace, 607 S. Main St.

Disorderly — Police responded to disorderly conduct complaint in the 400 block of South Franklin Street.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported two juveniles in custody for shoplifting.

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident at Main and Division streets.

Oct. 16

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Disorderly — Police responded to an intoxicated person complaint in the 400 block of Prospect Circle.

Theft — A lunch pail was reported stolen from a truck in the 500 block of East Lieg Avenue.

Trespass — Police responded to a trespassing complaint in the 1200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Truancy — Police logged two truancy complaints from Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St.

Theft — Cigarettes were reported stolen from an unlocked car in the 1000 block of South Main Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 18

Deputies logged 41 incidents, including the following:

Burglary — Authorities investigated an attempted burglary on Elm Street in Tigerton.

Shoplifting — Authorities responded to a shoplifting complaint at the Ho Chunk Casino, N7214 Highway 45, in the town of Wittenberg.

Assault — Authorities investigated an assault on Fairview Road in the town of Bartelme.

Vandalism — Authorities responded to a vandalism complaint on Lake Street in Aniwa.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Oak Street in Bowler.

Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen on Country Lane in the town of Washington.

Accidents — Authorities logged six deer-related crashes.

Oct. 17

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

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

Warrant — A 22-year-old Shawano woman was taken into custody on a warrant on Cerveny Lane in the town of Richmond.

Disorderly — Police responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Webb Street in Wittenberg.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on Oak Ridge Lane in the town of Red Springs.

Fire — Authorities responded to a vehicle fire on state Highway 29 in the town of Wittenberg.

Accidents — Authorities responded to an injury accident on County Road A in the town of Herman and logged five deer-related crashes.

Oct. 16

Deputies logged 36 incidents, including the following:

Drug Offense — Authorities investigated a drug complaint on County Road Z in the town of Aniwa.

Warrant — A 24-year-old Neopit woman was taken into custody on a warrant on Main Street in Shawano.

Warrant — A 35-year-old Neenah man was taken into custody on a warrant on West Green Bay Street in Bonduel.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on U.S. Highway 45 in Wittenberg.

Accidents — Authorities responded to an injury accident on state Highway 52 in the town of Aniwa and logged five deer-related crashes.

A coach for a traveling basketball camp who allegedly tried to meet a 13-year-old boy for sex was ordered held on a $100,000 cash bond after an initial appearance in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court on Monday.

Nicholas R. Bennett, 23, of Portland, Oregon, could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 fine if found guilty of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, and 25 years and a $100,000 fine if convicted of attempted child enticement.

Bennett is a basketball coach with Pro Shot Shooting Systems, which tours basketball camps and clinics to various venues across the U.S., including schools.

“It seems Mr. Bennett works mostly with children in these basketball clinics,” District Attorney Greg Parker said during Bennett’s court appearance Monday.

The company held a basketball camp at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Shawano on Oct. 13.

According to the criminal complaint, Bennett struck up an acquaintance with a 13-year-old boy during the camp. The boy stayed after the camp was over to continue practicing basketball with Bennett.

Bennett asked for the boy’s cell phone number and began texting him the next day, according to the criminal complaint.

The texts came to the attention of the boy’s mother, who contacted the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department,

She told detectives that the text messages were at first supportive of the young man’s athletic talent but gradually seemed suggestive.

The complaint states there had also been some physical contact between Bennett and the boy. It states the boy hurt his wrist at one point while playing basketball and Bennett kissed it to make it better.

Sheriff’s detectives took over the electronic communications with Bennett on Thursday.

As the conversations between Bennett and detectives continued, the texts became more suggestive and eventually sexually explicit, according to the complaint.

Bennett eventually suggested a meeting on Friday night.

Detectives agreed to the meeting and took Bennett into custody when he arrived.

According to the criminal complaint, Bennett had traveled to Shawano with another man, Paul Hoover, who is listed as Pro Shot Shooting System’s founder on the company’s website.

The complaint states Bennett asked Hoover if they could stay in Shawano overnight on their way from Minneapolis to a meeting in Green Bay. Bennett also asked Hoover if he could have his own motel room, according to the complaint. Hoover also said he had a friend in town he wanted to visit.

Sheriff’s department Detective Sgt. Gordon Kowaleski said Hoover was cooperative with authorities during the investigation. Hoover told authorities he knew nothing about Bennett’s activities.

Hoover could not be reached for comment.

Kowaleski said the company has taken its tour to several locations since last week.

“In the past week since being in Shawano they had been in Minneapolis, they were heading to Green Bay, going to Madison, back to Appleton and then somewhere in Illinois,” he said.

Bennett is one of six people arrested by Shawano County authorities over the past three weeks on charges of using a computer to facilitate a sex crime. In most cases, suspects were captured after detectives placed or responded to Internet ads posing as a child.

“This is unlike many of the other cases we have of this nature. Here there was an actual child involved,” Parker said at Bennett’s court hearing Monday.

Parker said Bennett didn’t appear to have a previous criminal record. But in asking for the $100,000 cash bond, Parker noted that Bennett is transient.

Judge William Kussel Jr. agreed with the bond request, citing the severity of the allegations and Bennett’s transient nature.

Bennett is scheduled to be back in court Monday for an adjourned initial appearance.

Shawano Police Department

Oct. 19

Police logged 25 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A 22-year-old Shawano man was arrested on charges of strangulation,

substantial battery and false imprisonment after a domestic disturbance on Richmond Court.

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

Shoplifting — A 23-year-old woman was cited for shoplifting at Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 200 block of Mills Street.

Theft — A purse was reported stolen in the 100 block of Northridge Drive.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 200 block of North Bartlett Street.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 500 block of East Fifth Street.

Auto Theft — A vehicle was reported stolen in the 100 block of South Lafayette Street.

Assault — Police investigated an assault in the 400 block of East Green Bay Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 19

Deputies logged 42 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 39-year-old Wittenberg man was taken into custody on a warrant on Old Q Road in the town of Aniwa.

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

Drug Offense — Boarders Inn and Suites, W7393 River Bend Road, in the town of Belle Plaine reported finding a crack pipe under a TV in one of the rooms.

Theft — Firewood was reported stolen from a truck on Mill Creek Road in the town of Herman.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on County Road S in the town of Lessor.

Shoplifting — Dollar General, 309 N. Genesee St., Wittenberg, reported a 16-year-old male shoplifter with a backpack full of candy.

Accidents — Authorities logged four deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Oct. 19

Police logged 11 incidents, including the following:

Arrest — Officers assisted Shawano Police Department with locating and taking a suspect into custody.

Theft — A theft from a vehicle was reported on Motor Street.

Accident — A two-vehicle property damage accident was reported on West Green Tree Road.

An alleged sexual encounter involving a juvenile who posted an ad on the Internet was under investigation in Shawano.

Police on Sunday afternoon responded to a call from a woman who reported two male subjects having sex behind a building in the 2400 block of East Richmond Street.

When police arrived, they found a 17-year-old male and a 48-year-old man engaged in sexual activity, according to the police report.

The 17-year-old, who appeared to be crying, according to the report, told police he had placed an ad on Craigslist requesting to have sex with another male. He said a male subject had responded to his ad and expressed that he was interested in meeting up.

The 17-year-old was taken to a hospital for examination by a sexual assault nurse.

The 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sex with a child over the age of 16. Charges had not been filed in the case as of Tuesday afternoon.

A Shawano man who allegedly arranged a sexual rendezvous with what he believed was a 15-year-old girl made his initial appearance Monday in court.

Eugene J. Giesler, 27, could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 fine if convicted.

Shawano County sheriff’s detectives, posing on the Internet as a 15-year-old girl, responded to an online ad placed by Giesler, according to the criminal complaint.

Text messages, in which the supposed girl made it clear she was 15 years old, were exchanged and turned sexually graphic in nature, according to the complaint.

Giesler allegedly set up two meetings with the girl, but did not show up, according to the complaint. On Friday, however, while detectives were working another sex sting operation, Giesler re-initiated contact and set up a meeting for that night.

Giesler arrived at 9:20 p.m. and was arrested without incident, less than an hour and a half after Nicholas R. Bennett was arrested in the other sting operation.

Giesler allegedly arrived with a bag of alcohol and condoms, according to the complaint.

Giesler was ordered held on a $5,000 cash bond after his appearance Monday in Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court. He is scheduled for an adjourned initial appearance on Oct. 28.

Public school systems in the Shawano area are feeling pinched by a loss of state aid attributed to students choosing private schools at taxpayer expense under the state’s expanded voucher program.

School districts in Shawano, Clintonville, Pulaski and Wittenberg-Birnamwood are losing nearly $300,000 combined in state aid because of students taking advantage of private school vouchers.

To make up for the lost funding, school administrators are moving ahead with spending cuts or increased property taxes, as permitted under the voucher program.

“That’s going to impact all of us negatively,” said Wittenberg-Birnamwood School Superintendent Garrett Rogowski.

The private school voucher fallout comes on the heels of new state aid projections, released last week, that had officials in Shawano and elsewhere celebrating expected increases in state assistance for public schools.

Under the first-ever expansion of a voucher program that has existed for years in the Milwaukee area, state school officials informed many districts that they were losing funding to support students who instead choose to attend parochial or other private schools at taxpayer expense.

Upon learning that Shawano schools were losing funding equal to about 25 students, the Shawano School Board on Monday boosted property tax collections for the current school year from less than $12.9 million to more than $13.1 million, as part of a $37 million annual budget.

Louise Fischer, the district’s business manager, said the lost state aid for voucher students erased savings that administrators had achieved elsewhere in the budget and had intended to pass along to taxpayers.

“We could’ve saved them a lot of money in taxes,” Fischer said. “And now it’s not going to happen.”

The state reported to Shawano school officials that the district was losing $180,350 because of voucher enrollments among local students, and that the district’s local property tax revenue limits were being raised by $238,364 under the voucher formula.

As a result, a property tax rate that would have been $10.17 per $1,000 of property value in the district’s new budget was raised to $10.31 for Shawano homeowners and businesses. That means the owner of a $100,000 property will pay taxes of $1,031, which is $14 more than what was planned before the voucher costs.

Critics of the state voucher program say it harms public school districts by redirecting needed resources to private schools. Supporters, however, say the program gives families more flexibility in selecting schools that meet their needs.

St. James Lutheran School of Shawano, which qualified as a voucher school, reported that of its 162 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, 27 qualified this year for state vouchers.

Principal Susan Longmire said all but two of those students were already enrolled at St. James, which led her to speculate that other Shawano public school students had transferred to voucher schools outside of the district. Either way, she said, the system is working effectively by allowing parents to apply their tax dollars to the school they want their children to attend.

“I have a hard time seeing how that’s wrong,” she said. “It’s a fair way of doing this for the parents who want to have a choice.”

Public school administrators in Shawano and elsewhere are pushing state education officials for a full accounting of student transfers to voucher schools, including student names and residences.

The Pulaski school district lost $48,829 in state aid for the voucher program, or the equivalent of about six students switching to private schools.

Pam Kercheval, the district’s business manager, said Pulaski would increase property tax collections by $61,688 as permitted by the state. Kercheval said the result, like Shawano, would be a lost opportunity to offer tax relief to local property owners.

The tax rate in Pulaski will increase about 4 cents extra because of the voucher program, which Kercheval said could go unnoticed by many taxpayers.

“If they knew about the 4 cents for private school vouchers, I think they would be upset,” she added.

Clintonville schools similarly are losing $43,284 in state aid, with the option of adding $56,950 to their property tax collections.

In the Wittenberg-Birnamwood school district, officials are considering spending cuts rather than tax increases to offset the loss of $22,934 to the voucher program. The state formula would allow Wittenberg-Birnamwood school officials to raise an extra $27,607 in property taxes.

Rogowski, however, said he would rather try to find spending cuts in the school district’s budget.

Officials might go through this exercise again next year, Rogowski noted, if the state’s voucher program expands again as expected. He said: “We’re going to have to brace ourselves for a greater impact.”

Internet sex sting operations conducted by Shawano County authorities over the past several years have never failed to nab at least one suspect — something law enforcement officials find disturbing.

“It’s disturbing when you look at the nature of criminal offenses and where they’ve gone since the Internet,” said Detective Sgt. Gordon Kowaleski of the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department. “Years ago you worked a beat and you controlled your beat. Now we’re living in a virtual environment.”

The fact that the operations continue to be successful is also a little frustrating, Kowaleski said, in that suspects are still willing to set up sexual encounters with children in spite of the publicity that previous arrests have gotten.

“I’m not sure what to do to put an end to it,” he said. “It seems no matter what we do, no matter how much publicity the news gives it, we keep becoming successful with these operations.”

The sheriff’s department, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, has conducted multiple operations over the past three years, resulting in nearly two dozen arrests in Shawano County.

The operations have involved detectives — posing as juveniles — going online to monitor chat rooms and online forums, as well as placing ads and responding to posts placed by others.

“We recognize there is a very real online presence of opportunistic offenders who would seek to initiate illegal and predatory contact with juveniles,” Sheriff’s Capt. Tom Tuma said.

County authorities launched their latest effort, dubbed Operation Eclipse, on Sept. 25.

In the three weeks that followed, six people were arrested after arriving in Shawano County for what they allegedly expected would be sexual encounters with children.

The most high-profile of those arrests was unique in that it involved a man who, according to police, had already made the acquaintance of a 13-year-old boy. Detectives took over electronic communications with the suspect after being alerted by the boy’s mother to text messages he was receiving.

Nicholas R. Bennett, 23, of Portland, Oregon, was charged Monday with using a computer to facilitate a sex crime and attempted child enticement.

“This latest case underscores the necessity of our proactive operations,” Tuma said.

While most other cases have involved detectives posing as juveniles, the allegations against Bennett involving an actual 13-year-old boy underscore the reality of the dangers out there on the Internet, Kowaleski said.

“This shows these things do happen in real life,” he said.

More disturbing, he added, are the incidents that take place and don’t come to light. Many of these types of crimes go unreported, Kowaleski said.

The involvement of a child in such cases is not unusual. In fact, Kowaleski said, there have been juveniles who have responded to the undercover ads and postings placed by detectives.

“Depending on the age of the child, we would meet with the parents and try to get them some services to correct that type of behavior,” Kowaleski said.

Kowaleski said the Bennett case, which had detectives taking over electronic communication that had already been initiated, posed some challenges.

“It makes it more difficult and dangerous on many levels,” he said. “The fact that we do have a potential local victim, not to mention the dangers that are involved in what could have happened had the mother, number one, and us, number two, had not intervened in this case.”

Tuma said there have been cases where children have been enticed from their homes by Internet predators.

In 2011, Xan C. Boyett, 22, of Texas, was convicted of child abduction and interfering with child custody after he convinced a 13-year-old Shawano County girl he met on the Internet to leave home and go with him to Vermont. The two were intercepted on a bus when it reached Sheboygan.

Boyett was sentenced to five years in prison on the two felony charges.

“The people who commit crimes today aren’t really worried about jurisdictional boundaries,” Kowaleski said. “And when you add into the mix the Internet, you can literally go worldwide in seconds. So these crimes can take place in a virtual environment anywhere.”

The Bennett case in particular shows that parents need to be aware of what their children are up to online, Kowaleski said.

“It shows that parents need to be very vigilant today, especially with today’s virtual environment and their children having any number of different devices they can go online with, they can chat with. They can send pictures, text messages. Look at the devices,” Kowaleski said. “Look at the text messages and see what’s going on, just to keep everyone safe.”

Sheriff Adam Bieber said it’s important that parents have an open dialogue with their children about those who wish to do them harm.

“Parents should also go over what is appropriate behavior from adults and in the presence of adults,” he said. “Parents should also discuss what is appropriate communication on their devices. Obviously any communication of devices should be monitored, but parents need to let their children know that it is not the child’s fault if a pervert begins contacting them randomly.”

Bieber said children often are afraid that parents will take away their devices and, as a result, do not notify the parents of inappropriate communications.

“Parents must be prepared and discuss that with their children and take the appropriate measured steps to protect their children,” he said.

Bieber also thanked sheriff’s detectives for their work and expertise in the investigations.

“Our detectives have other investigations they are responsible for, but they feel as I do that we need to take time to be proactive and get these predators off the street prior to them victimizing any child,” he said. “The reason our department has been so successful in finding these perverts is because we are one of a very few departments conducting these type of investigations.”

Bieber said the Internet operations would continue.

“The Shawano sheriff’s office will continue to be proactive in protecting our children,” he said.

Shawano Police Department

Oct. 20

Police logged 26 incidents, including the following:

Theft — A woman reported the theft of two prescription drug supplies from a residence in the 400 block of North Franklin Street.

Truancy — Two incidents of student truancy were reported at Shawano Community High School, 220 County Road B.

Shoplifting — A male shoplifting suspect was taken into custody at Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St.

Drugs — An anonymous caller reported that a man might be selling illicit drugs in buildings in the 1000 block of East Fifth Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 20

Deputies logged 47 incidents, including the following:

Theft — A business owner reported the theft of copper and brass items on Old Lake Lane in the town of Wescott.

Threats — A man was reported making threats and grabbing people at Homme Youth & Family facility, W17998 Hemlock Lane, town of Wittenberg.

Weapon — A man believed to be intoxicated was reported brandishing guns on Kathryn Road in the town of Richmond.

Clintonville Police Department

Oct. 20

Police logged eight incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A loud music complaint was investigated on Flora Way.

Disorderly — An incident of disorderly conduct was reported on North Main Street.

Theft — The theft of a license plate was reported on Modoc Street.

Stockbridge-Munsee has a new tribal president after councilwoman Shannon Holsey defeated incumbent Wally Miller in the Oct. 10 election. The council was sworn into office Friday.

This is Holsey’s first term as an officer. Miller served one two-year term.

Doug Huck was elected vice president, defeating incumbent Greg Miller. Huck was treasurer for two prior terms. He returns for a one-year stint as vice president. New to the council and seated as treasurer, Janet Miller will serve a two-year term after defeating incumbent Terrie K. Terrio.

Returning council incumbents serving nonconsecutive terms are: Joe Miller, who has served more than 20 years as a council member; Scott Vele, returning for his 13th term; Joann Schedler, returning for her third term; and Jeremy Mohawk, in his third term.

Strangulation, false imprisonment

A Cecil man has been charged with several felony counts as a result of a domestic disturbance in Shawano on Monday.

Tyler J. Cotter, 22, was charged with strangulation and suffocation, false imprisonment and substantial battery for allegedly beating and choking a woman and preventing her from leaving.

He could face a maximum six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted on the strangulation and false imprisonment charges, and 3 1/2 years and $10,000 fine for substantial battery.

He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of theft, disorderly conduct and battery.

The woman called police after Cotter left. He was later arrested by Shawano County sheriff’s deputies.

Cotter was ordered held on a $1,500 cash bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Monday.

Felony possession of firearm, marijuana

A Bowler man is facing felony counts possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of marijuana after authorities executed a search warrant at his residence Friday.

Perry D. Stone, 32, could face a maximum 10 years in prison and $25,000 fine if found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon, and 3 1/2 years and a $10,000 fine on the charge of second or subsequent offense possession of marijuana.

Stockbridge-Munsee police and Shawano County sheriff’s deputies seized a handgun and numerous boxes of ammunition from the residence, along with 49.7 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to the criminal complaint.

Stone posted a $1,000 cash bond Wednesday and is due back in court Monday for an adjourned initial appearance.

Felony intimidation, false imprisonment

A Shawano man was ordered held on a $1,500 cash on felony charges of intimidation of a victim and false imprisonment as a result of a domestic disturbance in the city on Sunday.

John L. Anderson, 50, was arrested after police responded to a call about a woman “screaming bloody murder” in the 1200 block of South Lafayette Street.

According to the criminal complaint, Anderson dragged the woman into the bedroom during a domestic altercation and prevented her from leaving. He also allegedly tried to keep her from calling police with the use of force, according to the complaint.

Anderson could face a maximum 10 years in prison and $25,000 fine if convicted of felony intimidation, and six years and a $10,000 fine on the false imprisonment charge.

Shawano’s classic downtown diner is sporting a new look after the establishment’s first major facelift in many years.

Angie’s Main Cafe, 132 S. Main St., welcomed patrons Wednesday to a ribbon-cutting and open house to unveil a remodeling effort that included improvements to both the eatery’s interior and exterior.

Owner Angie Bistoff called it the first significant makeover since at least 1998 when she took over the downtown business originally known as Dehn’s ice cream parlor.

“This is just incredible,” Bistoff said. “I’m so happy and excited.”

The project was funded through the Vision 2017 economic development program, which is being administered by the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce and Shawano County Economic Progress Inc. The program allocated $7,500 in grants to Angie’s Main Cafe, and Bistoff contributed matching funds for a $15,000 total investment in the 67-year-old restaurant property.

A new front entrance was created to allow for smoother movement of customer traffic down a corridor that connects Angie’s main dining room with an affiliated coffee shop and a private banquet room in the rear. Where the old front entrance was located, the restaurant now has an enlarged dining area overlooking Main Street with old-style booths designed to accent the eatery’s retro theme.

Other improvements include updated bathrooms, new exterior signage and interior mural paintings.

Left unchanged are the horseshoe-shaped counters that have been part of the property’s old-school charm since Dehn’s ice cream parlor.

Matty Mathison, a regular customer and friend of Bistoff’s, encouraged the restaurant owner to pursue the Vision 2017 program, even helping to draft the grant applications and plan the remodeling.

Mathison said she was thrilled with the finished new look, which she said gives the eatery a refreshing new appearance. She said it was gratifying to help Bistoff complete such a significant improvement to a beloved downtown landmark.

“It was a labor of love on everyone’s part,” she said.

The parent of a child who attended a basketball camp last week where a 13-year-old was allegedly targeted for sexual contact by a basketball coach said she hopes the incident will lead to more public awareness of sexual predators.

Nicholas R. Bennett, 23, of Portland, Oregon, was charged Monday with using a computer to facilitate a sex crime and attempted child enticement. He allegedly exchanged sexually graphic text messages with a 13-year-old boy he met at the basketball camp and set up what authorities said was intended to be a sexual rendezvous.

Shawano County sheriff’s detectives, who were alerted to the text messages by the boy’s mother, took over electronic communications and arrested Bennett at the meeting place Friday.

The camp, conducted by Pro Shot Shooting System, was hosted by Sacred Heart Catholic School in Shawano. Bennett was an employee of the camp.

Principal Elisha Wagenson said the camp was recommended by one of the school’s basketball coaches who had attended the camp in another city.

Wagenson said the school had also arranged for four staff members, including the athletic director, to be on hand for the event. All were “safe-environment trained and background-checked,” she said.

The criminal complaint states the boy stayed for a little while after the camp ended to continue practicing with Bennett, but, Wagenson said, staff were present also and at no time was the student alone with Bennett.

Wagenson said the school is also fully cooperating with authorities in their investigation.

Lorna Buelow, of Bonduel, whose son also attended the basketball camp, said she was disturbed by the news of Bennett’s arrest and the allegations against him.

“It made my skin crawl,” she said.

Buelow picked up her son after the event, and she recalled that during the drive home her son thought there was something odd about Bennett.

“On the way home, he said, ‘that young coach was kind of weird,’” Buelow said.

The criminal complaint states the 13-year-old boy Bennett allegedly targeted hurt his wrist at one point and that Bennett “kissed it to make it better.”

Buelow said she and her son had a conversation about appropriate and inappropriate behavior by adults toward children.

Buelow said that’s a topic her family has discussed before and often with their three children.

“Kids need to know what’s appropriate and what’s not, and they need to know they don’t have to allow that,” she said.

Buelow said the family has also discussed what can happen on the Internet.

“We’ve talked about the dangers,” she said. “You can think you’re talking to another kid, someone you befriend on a game site, but it could be anyone. We’ve talked about that quite a bit.”

Buelow said the basketball camp incident should spur more awareness of sexual predators.

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed honestly and openly,” she said. “It’s an unfortunate reality of society.”

That reality hits close to home for Buelow, who said she was sexually abused as a child.

In those days, however, such things weren’t discussed.

“It’s not a conversation we had,” she said. “It was considered shameful, even for the victim.”

Buelow said children in particular have to understand there are trusted adults they can go to and talk to about these things.

“There is no shame in being a victim,” she said.

Buelow said she would like to see the sheriff’s department, the schools and other community agencies hold informational seminars with parents on how to talk to their kids about the dangers of the Internet, inappropriate behavior from adults and how children can protect themselves.

“Information is power,” she said.

Buelow added that she does not hold Sacred Heart school responsible for what happened.

“I don’t blame them or find any fault with them. I don’t think they could have known,” she said.

Buelow said she was put off, however, by a letter the school sent to parents asking that they not speak to the media.

“I don’t think this should be swept under the rug,” Buelow said.

Wagenson said the memo to parents “was not intended to shut people down.”

She said it was felt that school and parish officials were in a better position to discuss the facts of the case.

Wagenson said she has no issue with Buelow going public to spread awareness of sexual predators and, she said, she agrees with that.

“The more we talk about it and educate people, the safer out community will be,” she said.

Shawano Police Department

Oct. 21

Police logged 20 incidents, including the following:

Hit and Run — Police investigated a property damage hit-and-run in the Shawano County Courthouse parking lot, 311 N. Main St.

Fire — Shawano Community Middle School, 1050 S. Union St., was evacuated for about 20 minutes after smoke was reported in the office. The smoke was caused by something burning in the microwave, according to the police report.

Theft — Two purses were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 200 block of Waukechon Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of North Main Street.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 21

Deputies logged 58 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 48-year-old Birnamwood man was taken into custody on a warrant on Trout Lane in the town of Birnamwood.

Fraud — Authorities investigated an identity theft complaint on Blue Goose Road in the town of Germania.

Theft — Authorities responded to a property theft complaint on County Road HH in the town of Wescott.

Juvenile — Authorities responded to a juvenile problem on Bartelt Street in Gresham.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a lewd and lascivious behavior complaint on Alder Street in Tigerton.

Disturbance — A 28-year-old Bowler man was arrested on a warrant and bail jumping charges after a disturbance on Main Street in Bowler.

Accidents — Authorities logged nine deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Oct. 21

Police logged 12 incidents, including the following:

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint at Clintonville High School, 64 W. Green Tree Road.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle accident at Main and Third streets.

OWI — A woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated on West Madison Street.

A 61-year-old Aniwa woman was taken into custody on drug charges Thursday after Shawano County sheriff’s deputies and Stockbridge-Munsee tribal police executed a search warrant at a residence in the town.

The sheriff’s department said the search warrant, executed about 9:30 a.m. on County Road Z, was the result of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking in the region.

As a result of evidence found at the scene, the woman was arrested on probable cause, alleging that she was involved with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, maintaining a drug trafficking place and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Further evidence collected during the execution of the search warrant being analyzed and the investigation continues, the sheriff’s department said.

“The sale and abuse of controlled substances remains far from being a victimless crime, as so many times habits and addictions are supported through criminal activity,” Shawano County Sheriff Adam Bieber said. “More times than most would expect, the sheriff’s office receives reports from concerned residents about the negative effect this activity has on the quality of life we enjoy in our neighborhoods and community.”

At a time when resources are scarce for public libraries, Shawano County libraries are getting by with a little help from their friends.

The private group known as Friends of the Shawano County Libraries Inc. has helped to purchase a new van that replaces the old and outdated countywide bookmobile.

The group donated more than half of the $23,000 needed to purchase the van, which delivers books and other library materials to patrons at off-site locations countywide.

It was the friends group’s largest donation in recent memory, adding to a long list of earlier contributions involving new technology, programming, funding and more for Shawano County libraries.

Kristie Hauer, director of the Shawano City-County Library, said the group has made a meaningful impact by reaching out and supporting libraries in many different ways.

“They really meet a big need in the community,” Hauer said.

On the occasion of this week’s National Friends of the Library Week, which continues through Saturday, the friends group is reflecting on its efforts over the years to help make sure that Shawano area residents have access to the best public libraries possible.

In addition to the city-county library, the group’s efforts benefit branch libraries in Birnamwood, Bonduel, Mattoon, Tigerton and Wittenberg.

Marsha Hoeffs, treasurer of the group, said that with libraries coping to make ends meet on lean tax-funded budgets, the private organization recognizes the importance of its work to supplement those public resources with whatever the group can provide.

The organization of about 50 members holds two fundraisers annually and meets with library officials throughout the county to stay abreast of what each branch needs.

In recent years, the friends have distributed annual grants of $1,500 to each library branch. Other donations have equipped the libraries with book carts, video games, electronic books and readers, furniture, children’s games and enhanced WiFi capabilities.

Earlier this year, library administrators decided to replace their old bookmobile vehicle because it was outdated and no longer served its purpose very well. The friends contributed $13,000 and the old bookmobile was sold for $10,000 to cover the cost of a new van.

By delivering books and other materials rather than requiring patrons to climb on board, the van has increased the number of off-site patrons receiving materials each month. The van visits nursing homes, schools, day care centers and other places throughout the county where people lack easy access to regular libraries.

Members of the friends group said that while the cost was significant, they are pleased with the new van and how effective it has become.

Lolly Bower, president of the group, said she is excited to hear that the van is reaching more people who otherwise might never use a library.

“The van is certainly the biggest way we can do that,” Bower said.

Shawano Police Department

Oct. 22

Police logged 31 incidents, including the following:

Warrant — A 40-year-old Shawano man was taken into custody on Brown and Outagamie County warrants in the 100 block of South Franklin Street.

Disturbance — Charges of domestic violence-related battery and disorderly conduct were referred against a 22-year-old Shawano man after a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of East Lieg Avenue.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., reported a woman left the store with a full cart of merchandise.

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 1000 block of South Lafayette Street.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Assault — Police investigated an assault complaint in the 200 block of East Green Bay Street.

Theft — Verizon, 1056 E. Green Bay St., reported items stolen from the business.

Juvenile — Police responded to a juvenile problem in the 900 block of South Sawyer Street.

Disturbance — Police responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of Acorn Street.

OWI — A 29-year-old woman was arrested for operating while intoxicated at Green Bay Street and Green Bay Court.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Oct. 22

Deputies logged 49 incidents, including the following:

Disturbance — A 25-year-old Bonduel man was arrested on charges of domestic violence-related disorderly conduct on Sunshine Court in Bonduel.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on East Green Bay Street in Bonduel.

Disturbance — Authorities responded to a disturbance on Derby Lane in the town of Washington.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on North Shore Lane in the town of Wescott.

Disorderly — Authorities responded to a disorderly conduct complaint on Spaulding Street in Tigerton.

Trespass — Authorities responded to a trespassing complaint on Birdsong Lane in the town of Richmond.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Mill Street in Eland.

Harassment — Authorities responded to a harassment complaint on Birch Street in Tigerton.

Theft — Money was reported stolen from a residence on Flint Avenue in Mattoon.

Accidents — Authorities responded to an injury accident on County Road D in the town of Pella and logged nine deer-related crashes.

Clintonville Police Department

Oct. 22

Police logged 10 incidents, including the following:

Suspicious — Police checked on a suspicious incident complaint on West Morning Glory Drive.

Suspicious — A suspicious incident was reported on South Clinton Avenue.

Accident — Police assisted Waupaca County sheriff’s deputies at the scene of an accident on U.S. Highway 45.

Suspicious — Police responded to a suspicious person complaint at Rohrer and Brent streets.

When the local American Legion post came up with the idea of a veterans memorial, it didn’t take long for the Marion community to get behind the project and see that it was completed.

“We first got the idea about a year and a half ago,” said Bill Mengert, commander of American Legion Post 198.

Some residents wanted it to be completed soon so the surviving World War II veterans would get to see it. A volunteer committee visited memorials in Tigerton and Shiocton, and talked to folks about what it would take to put it together.

Legion members took the idea to the Marion City Council to ask if they could locate a memorial in Veteran’s Memorial Park on Mavis Road. Mayor Pat Mielke and the council quickly approved the idea.

Committee members were uncertain how they would raise the money, but the tightknit community stepped up to the task. The Lions Club provided a sizable donation, two large manufacturing businesses contributed, community members joined in, and the Legion provided some of its funds.

“We raised $100,000 of donated money. Not one dollar came from the city taxes,” said Lee Much, one of the volunteers.

The memorial planning committee included Mengert, Much, Ron Whitford, Bob Malueg, Ron Much and Casey Beyersdorf. Renee Johnson, a Marion resident with a landscaping and horticulture background, helped create the design. Olson Electric did the electrical work. The committee worked with Appleton Marble for the imported black granite plaques.

Construction started last spring. By summer, the two walls with the names of 264 veterans and a centerpiece were completed.

A U.S. flag and flags representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and POW-MIAs fly over the memorial.

The city will maintain the memorial, and the American Legion will develop a fund to pay for its maintenance.

When a dedication ceremony was held a couple of weeks ago, organizers expected maybe 50 or more people attend, but Lee Much said they just kept coming and coming. “It was awesome,” he said.

“There were over 400 people,” Mengert said.

Veteran Jim Yenchesky gave the keynote address, and the Marion High School band took part. The Lions Club furnished refreshments after the ceremony.

Much said the black granite plaques are filled, but the committee plans to add two more walls next spring, hopefully by Memorial Day.

It costs $150 to have a name added to the wall. Commemorative bricks also are available in three sizes, with prices ranging from $150 to $750.

Video copies of the dedication ceremony are available for $10.55. To purchase a video or for information, call Mengert at 715-754-2064 or Malueg at 715-754-2636.

An Aniwa woman was charged Friday with five felony drug counts and related misdemeanors as a result of a search warrant executed at her residence Thursday.

Betty L. Stone, 61, faces felony counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, possession with intent to deliver a prescription drug, and two counts of possession of narcotic drugs.

Shawano County sheriff’s detectives executing the search warrant Thursday seized several items containing plant material suspected to be marijuana, prescription pills and drug paraphernalia, according to the criminal complaint.

The search warrant came a week after authorities had been at the same residence attempting to locate Perry D. Stone, 32, of Bowler, who was wanted on drug charges.

Betty Stone told authorities he was not at the residence, but he was found hiding in a basement bathroom, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, Betty Stone told authorities she shares marijuana and pills with her friends but does not sell them.

Betty Stone could face a maximum six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty of possession with intent to deliver a prescription drug. All other felony counts carry a maximum 3 1/2 years in prison and $10,000 fine.

She was released Friday on a $1,000 signature bond and is due back in court for an adjourned initial appearance Nov. 9.

Perry Stone, who posted a $1,000 cash bond, is due in court Monday for an adjourned initial appearance. He could face a maximum 10 years in prison and $25,000 fine if found guilty of possession of a firearm by a felon, and 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine on the charge of second or subsequent offense possession of marijuana.

Stockbridge-Munsee police and Shawano County sheriff’s deputies seized a handgun and numerous boxes of ammunition from his residence on Oct. 16, along with 49.7 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to the criminal complaint.

The last of three suspects wanted in connection with a high-speed chase on the Menominee Reservation last week that culminated in shots being fired at a police officer was taken into custody Thursday.

Menominee Tribal Police said they have also located the weapon that was used in the incident.

Two suspects were arrested the day after the Oct. 15 incident, including one taken into custody by Shawano police after the state Department of Corrections issued an apprehension request for a probation violation.

The three men are all in their early 20s and from Keshena, Tribal Police Chief Mark Waukau said.

Detective Joshua Lawe said the third man eventually surrendered himself, but that came after a week of searching by Lawe and Detective David Mahkimetas that included contact with family members and others who knew the suspect.

“Word got out and he came forward,” Lawe said.

The incident began about 11:30 p.m. Oct. 15 when Sgt. Basil Okimosh was on patrol and spotted a vehicle traveling through downtown Keshena at a high rate of speed.

Okimosh attempted to pull the vehicle over, but instead “it took off flying,” Waukau said.

A high-speed pursuit ensued along County Road VV until the vehicle reached a dirt road about 3 miles outside of Keshena and turned into the woods.

The chase continued for another couple of miles, winding through back roads in the woods until the vehicle hit a patch of mud and got stuck.

Three men exited the vehicle and fled on foot. One of the suspects fired at Okimosh as he was getting out of his squad.

“Four shots were fired,” Waukau said.

The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit was brought in to assist the search for the suspects, but wet conditions from rain earlier in the day hampered efforts to pick up a scent, Waukau said.

The suspect vehicle was impounded and registration was checked to identify the owner, which led to the identification of persons of interest in the case and two arrests Friday afternoon.

Waukau credited inter-agency cooperation and the work of detectives with resolving the case.

“They worked really hard on this case,” he said. “They worked diligently to get a resolution to this as soon as possible.”

Waukau said Shawano police and the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, which provided the K-9 unit in the initial search, and probation and parole officers who requested the apprehension of one of the suspects on the parole violation were very helpful.

“This was a multi-jurisdictional thing that came together,” he said.

“We have a good working relationship,” Waukau said. “We communicate very well so we can keep people safe in our communities.”

Charges have not yet been filed, but will be filed in both federal and tribal court, Waukau said.

Lawe said discussion of the possible charges are being discussed with federal prosecutors, but are likely to include assault to a police officer and obstruction.