Rueben C. Reinke Jr., age 77 of Marion, passed away Friday, April 13, 2018 in Appleton.

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Betty Jane C. Webb, age 88, of Waupaca, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at Park Vista – The Legacy, with her friends by her side.

She was born May 5, 1929 in Chicago, IL, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Warchola) Boverly. BJ married Joe H. Webb in Chicago, and together they shared many memorial years of marriage before his passing on February 5, 1994. BJ was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Palos Park, IL where she was affiliated with the Sisterhood of St. Anne parish ministry. She will be dearly missed by her loving friends and extended family.

A Funeral Liturgy will be on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 8410 W. 131st Street, Palos Park, IL 60464;Father Peter Levko officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Stickney, IL following the services on Friday. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca, WI and the Richard-Midway Funeral Home of Chicago, IL is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Bryan W. Sperberg, age 60 of Clintonville passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018 at his home.

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A black lab had fun playing in the snow on Monday, following the storm that dumped more than 2 feet of snow on Waupaca County. Holly Neumann Photo

More than 2 feet of snow fell throughout Waupaca County between Friday, April 13, and Monday, April 16.

On Saturday afternoon, the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office declared a snow emergency and advised everyone to stay off the roads.

A tow ban remained in effect until Monday.

Several businesses shut down over the weekend due to the storm, including Neumann’s Piggly Wiggly supermarket, which closed at noon Sunday and did not re-open until 10 a.m. Monday.

On Monday, as snow plows continued clearing the roads, area schools closed.

The previous week, Waupaca School Board had added a day to the academic calendar to compensate for lost days due to prior closings this winter.

In Waupaca, city hall, the library, the courthouse and Fox Valley Technical College were closed on Monday.

Gusmer Enterprises closed for the second and third shifts Sunday and the first shift on Monday, while Waupaca Foundry delayed production by 24 hours.

More snow is expected in the area on Wednesday, April 18.

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Robert Lee Christensen, age 89, died Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Stevens Point, WI.

Bob was born on February 12, 1929 in the Town of Dayton, in Waupaca County to the late Oswald and Jenny (Rait) Christensen. He graduated from Scandinavia High School in 1947. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1950. He was stationed in Guam for 18 months and served the remainder of his enlistment at Hamilton Air Force Base in San Rafael, CA. While on leave, before departing from Guam, he proposed to the girl he first met at the Rosholt Fair in 1946, Clarice Halverson. They were married seven days later at Alban Lutheran Church on May 19, 1951. Attending the fair became an annual tradition passed on to their children and grandchildren. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1954, he worked for a short time in Waupaca before moving to Merrill and working for Kloss Radio and Appliance. In 1956, he began working for Wisconsin Bell Telephone Co as a lineman in Merrill. Different jobs with the phone company brought moves to Kimberly and Hudson, WI before settling in Eau Claire in 1955 and residing there for 45 years. He retired from the phone company in 1989, after 33 years. In 2010, they moved to Stevens Point to be closer to family. Lifelong friendships were established in each community they lived. Bob was active at Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, serving on various committees, ushering, driving the Grace Van, participating in Men’s Bible Study, and working in the sound booth for services. He served as a union steward with the CWA, and after retirement, he volunteered repairing tape machines for the Talking Books Program. He also served on the Eau Claire Transit Board. He loved playing cards, sharing stories, and meeting people. Bob served many years as a poll worker in Eau Claire, and always emphasized the importance of knowing the issues and exercising your right to vote.

Survivors include his wife, Clarice (Halverson) of 66 years; children, Noreen (Richard) Bartosh of Wisconsin Rapids, Lee (Sue) of Batavia, IL, and Dale (Sue) of Stevens Point; grandchildren, Eric (Alyssa) Bartosh, Kristen (David) George, Andrew (Andrea) Bartosh, Dan (Nichole) Christensen, Sarah (Tyler) Brauhn, Catherine Christensen, Kyle Christensen, and Kari Christensen; great-grandchildren, Drew, Brynn, Hollis, Alison, Holden, Leo, Jack, and Wesley. He is also survived by his brother, Donald (Janice) Christensen; sister, Betty Kropilnicki, and Dorothy Inderdahl; and sister-in-law, Joan Larson.

His family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living and Ministry Hospice for their care and support.

A Funeral Service, celebrating his life, will be held 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 23, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church. A time of visitation and sharing of memories will be held on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Boston Funeral Home and at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be held in Alban Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 1410 Rogers St., Stevens Point WI 54481 or Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W Grand Ave, Eau Claire WI 54703 or ELCA Disaster Relief Fund.

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Walter W. Janke, age 95, of New London passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018 at St Joseph Residence, Inc in New London.

He was born July 3, 1922 in the Town of Union, son of the late Reinhard and Clara (Tellock) Janke. On June 20, 1942 he married Dorothy E Schmidt at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa. He worked on the home farm in the Town of Union until he became employed at Hillshire Farms from 1971-1987 when he retired. The last three years at Hillshire were his best years. He belonged to the Thresheree in Symco. Hobbies include: wood working, hunting, fishing, sharpening saw blades and chain saws, and spending time with family.

He is survived by two daughters, Virginia (Jerry) Olsen, Phoenix, AZ; Nancy (James) Wilken and one son Michael (Dorothy) Janke all of Bear Creek; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, a son, a great-grandchild and his sister.

The funeral service for Walter will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2018 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Symco with Rev. Jeffrey Smiles and Rev. Nathan Reichle officiating. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Symco. Relatives and friends may call directly at the church on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The Cline Hanson Dahlke Funeral Home in Manawa is serving the family. www.clinehansondahlkefuneralhomes.com

Special thanks to Annette Wilken for all she has done over the years. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph Residence, Inc, your kindness and compassion were greatly appreciated.

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Detour in Waupaca County

Motorists traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 10 in Waupaca County can expect to be detoured via County Trunk F through Weyauwega and County Trunk X.

The detour is expected to last until late morning.

Crews are removing a semi from the ditch.

The schedule is subject to change based on removal progress.

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Hardel running for re-election

By Robert Cloud

Sheriff Brad Hardel

When Waupaca County Sheriff Brad Hardel first ran for office in 2006 he was motivated by a long list of goals.

While he has achieved many of those goals, Hardel wants at least one more term to complete the work he began a dozen years ago.

One of his top goals has been to increase the number of officers in the department.

“When I took office we were ranked No. 68 for the ratio of officers per 1,000 capita,” Hardel said. “There were only three counties worse than us.”

Hardel said the municipalities in Waupaca County average two officers per 1,000 residents, while the county averages 0.9 officers per 1,000.

Since taking office, Hardel has managed to grow the force to 1.02 officers per 1,000.

His goal is to increase the department to 1.5 officers per 1,000 county residents.

“In 12 years, we’ve asked for those people but budget restraints have really hurt us,” Hardel said.

As sheriff, Hardel has added a communications captain, two communications supervisors, two drug officers, 24-hour coverage with patrol sergeants, one more patrol officer and one more detective.

He has also developed three full-time K9 teams.

“One of my goals was to get a K9 unit,” Hardel said. “We run the program off donations.”

He and other county officers began raising funds in 2007 and before the end of the year they received enough donations for two dogs. A third dog was brought on in 2012.

Hardel has presented the county with a five-year plan to continue expanding the force.

He wants to add two patrol officers per year for the next five years, plus two dispatchers, two recreation officers who focus on water, snowmobile and ATV patrol, two dispatchers, an evidence custodian, a patrol lieutenant and others.

“These are realistic goals,” Hardel said. “As the sheriff, my responsibility is the safety of citizens and the safety of the officers.

Hardel noted law enforcement is responding to crimes that have become more serious since the heroin epidemic began.
“We need more help out there,” Hardel said.

Background
Hardel graduated from Iola-Scandinavia High School in 1982 and obtained an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Northcentral Technical College in 1987.

He graduated from the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development program in 2007 and from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Problem-Oriented Policing Center in 2008.

Hardel has received training in counter-terrorism, ethical and character-driven leadership. He is also a state-certified instructor in defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, pursuit, pursuit intervention technique, tazer and restraint.

Prior to joining the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office, Hardel worked part time for the Marathon city police and county sheriff in 1986-87, then with Milwaukee Protective Services.

In April 1988, Hardel began working in Waupaca County as a corrections and dispatch officer.

He moved to the county’s patrol division in 1991 and became a patrol sergeant in 2000.

He was elected sheriff in 2006.

Hardel said he chose a career in law enforcement because his parents taught him the value of community service.

“Mom and Dad had four kids of their own and they always took care of foster kids,” Hardel said, noting his brother started in law enforcement in 1979 or 1980.

“We’re put on this earth to help people,” Hardel said. “Law enforcement offers a lot of opportunity to change people’s lives.”

Hardel said officers work with people who need help.

“It’s not just about arrests. It’s about how can we change this person’s situation,” he said.

Legacy of change
Hardel said his goals have focused on providing the equipment and training his officers need to do their work safely and efficiently.

He noted every squad car has its own computer, thanks to a state grant.

Officers can run a records check, write an accident or an action report from their squad car, rather than calling dispatch for the information or returning to the law enforcement center.

The county has also upgraded its radio system from analog to digital, upgraded its communications system and added towers.

The sheriff’s office now has 95 percent coverage for its mobile radios and 75 percent to 90 percent coverage for portable radios.

Waupaca County has also added a snowmobile patrol and an ATV patrol.

“We’re keeping people on the snowmobiles safe and keeping property owners happy,” Hardel said.

Hardel has also started a cold case investigation team in partnership with the state Division of Criminal Investigation.

Two cold cases are still under investigation in Waupaca County:

• The March 22, 1992 double homicide of 23-year-old Tanna Togstad and 35-year-old Tim Mumbrue, in a farmhouse just north of Weyauwega.

• The Jan. 15, 1978, murder of 26-year-old Marcella Carpenter, who was found in a burning house in rural Clintonville with a knife in her back.

“I don’t feel we should have any unsolved cases,” Hardel said. “Before I retire, I’d like to see the end of both those cases.”

Hardel has also found ways to increase revenues.

In addition to state grants to pay for extra patrols that enforce seat belt and drunken driving laws, the county sheriff’s office offers vehicle registration.

Waupaca County’s jail also has negotiated long-term contracts with Wood County and Portage County to hold some of their inmates. This generates a total of $1.4 million to $1.6 million annually.

The jail now has 24/7 nursing staff due to increased opiate use among the people who are arrested.

All corrections officers have access to stab vests and a new training area with a mock cell has been set up in the basement of the courthouse.

Hardel has also initiated 12-14 weeks of field training for new officers in the patrol, corrections, communications and detective divisions.

“We also started a school safety program two years ago,” Hardel said. “We felt we needed to step up and make sure our kids were protected.”

Hardel said deputies routinely stop at the schools in their patrol areas several times a day.

“They’ll stop at lunch and visit with the kids,” Hardel said. “By showing a presence, it’s a deterrent.”

Hardel said he is looking to obtain grants and work in collaboration with area police departments to have an officer’s presence in every school.

“That’s what it’s going to take to make sure our kids are safe and we don’t have a tragedy in Waupaca County,” Hardel said.

The sheriff’s office now has an Internet Crimes Against Children officer who works with state and federal agencies.

A new computer forensics lab allows investigators to process computers and download data from cellphones.

“We’ve made cases just on phone calls,” Hardel said.

Waupaca County has established its own Crime Scene Investigation unit and an evidence processing and inventory system that scans and codes every item.

The SWAT team now has a 30-foot long truck with roll-up doors for hauling equipment and a military surplus MRAP that will soon have a battering ram designed, built and donated by Waupaca Foundry.

“We’re creating a Rescue Task Force if we ever have an active shooter,” Hardel said.

Each RTF team will have a paramedic, firefighter and officer to go into an active shooter situation and extract people. Team members will wear helmets and vests and carry first-aid kits.

Hardel said all patrol squads now carry defibrillators and Narcan to provide emergency medical treatment if the officers are the first to arrive on the scene.

As much as he appreciates the importance of equipping his officers, Hardel believes teamwork is key to the department’s success.

“You can get more things done as a team.” Hardel said. “I think the majority of our staff are awesome and we work very well as a team.”

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Bryan W. Sperberg, age 60 of Clintonville passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018 at his home.

Bryan William Sperberg was born on February 11, 1958 in Crystal Falls, Michigan to Gordon and Phyllis (Schneider) Sperberg. After his father passed away in 1968, the family settled in Clintonville and he graduated from Clintonville High School in 1976. Bryan went on to FVTC to earn an associate’s degree in Auto Technology. He was united in marriage on June 8, 1985 to Lori B. Kriegel at Zion Lutheran Church, Tigerton. Bryan was manager of Valley Auto Supply in Marion from 1978 to 1994. Then he purchased the auto parts business, renaming it Marion Auto Supply, and owned it from 1994 to 2012. Bryan was a longtime member of St. Martin Lutheran Church where he served on the Board of Elders and as an Usher. His interests included being outdoors whether it was hunting, walking in the woods, or spending time at their cottage on Lake Superior near Sault Ste. Marie. Bryan was an excellent cook, liked gardening and canning, and especially enjoyed making strawberry and raspberry jam. His other hobbies were wood working, collecting coins, and watching scary movies. Bryan was an avid reader mostly of non-fiction books. He cherished the time spent with all of his nieces and nephews, but especially Matthew and Mariah, whom he helped take care of since they were babies. Bryan will be remembered most as a caring person who liked to joke around and spend time with the kids and his Springer Spaniel Copper.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Lori; and four brothers, Gale Sperberg of Clintonville, Kevin (Holly) Sperberg of Kronenwetter, Gregory Sperberg of Marion, and Thomas (Charlene) Sperberg of Clintonville. There is one sister-in-law, Dianne Kriegel of Tigerton. There are 12 nieces and nephews: Jacob (Becky) Sperberg, Nikolaus Sperberg, Erica (Mark) Haas, Kayla Sperberg, Kristin Sperberg, Taylor Sperberg, Heather (friend Tony Jeske) Ritchie, Michelle (Tom) Loberg, Bill (Sherri) Kriegel, Joe (Dawn) Kriegel, Andy (fiancée Shannon) Kriegel, and Jessica (fiancé Chuck) Kriegel. He is further survived by numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, other rela-tives and friends. Bryan is preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law H. William “Bill” Kriegel Jr.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 21st at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin Lutheran Church, Clintonville. Rev. Christian Burg will officiate and burial will be at a later date at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Friends may call on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, is assisting with the arrangements.

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Alice M. (Jensen) Hansen, age 89, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2018 surrounded by family, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King.

She was born in the Town of Farmington, WI on December 19, 1928 to the late Paul S. and Marie E. (Radley) Jensen. On June 19, 1948, she was united in marriage to Lewis C. Hansen, who preceded her in death on March 19, 2017. Alice was a graduate of Waupaca High School and Wautoma Normal School and went on to become a teacher with the Rural and Waupaca school systems. She was also employed as a bailiff with the county courts after retiring from the Town of Dayton where she was the Town Clerk for many years. She was an elder of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as a bible study instructor. Alice worked hard for the American Cancer Society, was a VFW Auxiliary member, was a hospice volunteer, and helped start the Reach for Recovery Program, having been a cancer survivor herself since 1973. She served as an officer of the Rural Cemetery Association and the Rural Gorgonas Club. Her other hobbies included gardening, being a wonderful hostess, cooking, knitting (everyone had a hat made by mom), and caring for her yard and home, alongside Lewis.

Alice is survived by her children: Mary E. Mathwig, Waupaca; Michael J. Hansen (Lorrie Krueger), Bozeman, MT; Holly M. (Daniel) Bacon, Amherst; and Heather C. (John) Schmit, Ecuador; grandchildren: Cariann (Rob Ramseier) Mathwig-Ramseier, Krista (Joseph) Kostuch, Paul (Stephanie Kroner) Hansen, Heidi (Paul) Smidansky, Stephen (Erin) Hansen, Joshua (Debora) Bacon, Mara (Michael) Syring, Sally (Scott) Aho, Stephanie Wheeler, Kristin (Michael) Harvey, Beth VanEngen (Robert Crofts), and Jordan (Kailea) Schmit; 24 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers and three sisters.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the Maple Crest Funeral Home with Chaplain Wayne Schwanke officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Park Vista and the Wisconsin Veterans Home.

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City considers light-level surveys

By Angie Landsverk

Members of the Waupaca Common Council want to know how much it would cost to survey the level of lighting in one of the city’s wards.

Justin Berrens, the city’s director of public works, is expected to have an estimate in early May before the council votes on the idea.

Ald. Alan Kjelland brought up the topic earlier this month.

“I’d like to see a survey done by Public Works to see the lighting levels of the city,” he said.

Last December, a city resident told the council she has concerns about Waupaca’s level of lighting.

The council voted a year ago to remove 92 street lights, as well as to transition to LED street lights and update the city’s Street Light Policy.

Berrens brought that recommendation forward following a review of the policy and an inventory of the city’s street lights.

The review showed Waupaca had an excessive amount of lights when compared to the policies and standards of other communities, he said.

The council’s action resulted in an annual cost savings of about $24,000 for the city.

However, since the resident spoke at the December council meeting, Kjelland and other council members have received additional complaints about the city’s level of lighting.

Kjelland said he received complaints not only from his constituents, but from those living in other parts of the city.

Other alderpersons said they also received a few complaints and referred them to Berrens.

Berrens told the council he received the data about Waupaca’s lighting cost and that of other communities from Wisconsin Public Service (WPS).

“We were the highest by far. Even after the removals, we were still the highest,” he said. “The populations (of the communities) ranged from 5,000 to 30,000.”

Ald. Lori Chesnut asked Berrens if LEDs were put in the remaining street lights after the 92 street lights were removed.

Berrens said the city upgraded the street lights it owns and maintains on Fulton Street to LEDS.

WPS owns more than 400 lights in the city.

As those lights go out, WPS is replacing them with LED lights, he said.

Berrens also said WPS will replace 12 lights per year with LEDs.

“We just went around and requested areas,” he said.

Police Chief Brian Hoelzel addressed questions about whether crime increased in the city after the 92 street lights were removed.

He said there has not been a spike in crime since the lights were taken down.

Mayor Brian Smith met with Kjelland and Berrens to discuss the idea of surveying the lighting level in an area of the city.

“It will be labor intensive to do a whole ward,” Berrens said. “I tried to find a middle ground without going to a prescription standard. It could end up costing more.”

Ald. Paul Mayou said in the ward he represents, a couple spots were identified where some would like to see lights put back up.

“Given the expense Justin is describing, I’m hesitant to ask him to do it. But on the other hand, if it’s just one ward, it would be enlightening,” Mayou said.

Some in attendance chuckled after that comment.

Berrens then said, “If you want me to shed some light on it, I’m willing to do it.”

Ald. Dave Peterson noted there is a process in place for those who have concerns about lighting.

Property owners may request a street light be installed adjacent to their property by submitting a written request to the Public Works Department.

The department has to review the request and make a recommendation within 10 calendar days.

Decisions by the department may be appealed to the common council.

“I have looked at quite a few,” Berrens said. “For the most part, I said no to the majority of them. We put two back up.”

When there have been requests, “we have done reviews and gone through the process. Ultimately, I tell people if they don’t like the outcome, they can always come here (to council),” he said.

The mayor noted Kjelland was not just talking about where street lights had been removed, but areas of the city where it may have always been darker.

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Quaker family responds to Civil War

The 1956 film classic, “Friendly Persuasion,” starring Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire as a Quaker couple in Civil War Indiana, will be the final entry in the 2017-18 First Thursday Film Series.

The movie will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.

Dr. Jack Rhodes will introduce the picture. Complimentary popcorn, sodas and theater treats will be served.

According to Rhodes, “Friendly Persuasion” tells the story of Jess and Eliza Birdwell, their three children, their neighbors and their congregation of the Society of Friends, as they all face the realities of the Civil War in 1862.

The movie, says Rhodes, strikes a delicate balance between its humorous and disarming episodes and its rather faithful depiction of the realities of Civil War combat.

Each member of the Birdwell family must ultimately decide how to respond to the armed violence that threatens the family’s faith and lifestyle.

Rhodes said the movie was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Song, and Best Supporting Actor for Anthony Perkins, in his first film role, as the family’s conscience-torn elder son.

The film was directed by William Wyler and based on the 1945 book of the same name by Jessamyn West, who worked as a technical adviser on the production.

As is customary with this film series, the May movie will be shown in honor and in memory of veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

For more information, call the library at 715-258-4414.

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Man hit by rolling truck

By Scott Bellile

Two men were rescued from the Wolf River after a truck rolled into the water at a boat launch last week.

The incident occurred after 4 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Riverside Park along County Trunk X.

Gary Bonikowske, 76, Manwa, suffered a serious injury and was airlifted to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah.

His brother, Dennis Bonikowske, 66, Manawa, was not injured but was treated at ThedaCare Medical Center-New London.

According to the police report, police were dispatched at 4:07 p.m. The truck was completely submerged when New London officers responded to the scene. Four men were in the water dragging another man to shore.

Police stated the brothers had finished fishing and were backing the trailer into the river to load the boat. Dennis Bonikowske was driving the vehicle while Gary Bonikowske was assisting with the boat outside.

Dennis Bonikowske told police he believed the brakes failed because he could not stop after he reversed the vehicle. The vehicle and trailer presumably struck Gary Bonikowske and continued to roll into the river, the police report states.

The vehicle became submerged and witnesses told police they pulled Dennis Bonikowske out the window. The witnesses said Gary Bonikowske was face-down in the water when they dragged him out.

The incident happened quickly and the truck appeared to be submerged within seconds, the witnesses told police. The truck had to be towed from the river.

New London Police Chief Jeff Schlueter noted to the New London Police and Fire Commission Monday, April 16, the incident was the second pedestrian-related accident in town in a week.

One week earlier, April 5, a pedestrian was struck on High Street after a motorist had what appeared to be a medical emergency and went into a ditch.

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Forward Together says think big

Nonprofit groups serving Waupaca County have another opportunity for a $50,000 grant.

The Tim and Joy Neuville Family Fund within the Waupaca Area Community Foundation is offering a second $50,000 Forward Together grant.

The Neuvilles ask nonprofit leaders to “think big” in proposing projects to meet human services needs.

The grant will be awarded to a human service organization that would benefit from a building expansion, enhancement or the purchase or lease of a building, or for a neighborhood revitalization project.

Successful Forward Together grant applications will feature human services projects and programs that demonstrate bold ideas and forward thinking. Evaluation criteria include:

• Long-term projects with high community impact in the human service field;

• Innovative thinking;

• Clear, detailed planning to assure the increased or enhanced space is paramount to success and sustainability;

• Leadership and a proven record of success;

• Strong community partnerships.

The Neuville fund grant will not fund travel expenses, conference fees or expenses, fundraisers, multi-year requests, general operating expenses not related to the proposed project, endowment funds, previously incurred expenses, initiatives that do not serve Waupaca County.

More information on the grant criteria is available at www.cffoxvalley.org/waupacagrants.

Applicants must contact Ann Engelhard, vice president Donor Services and Gift Planning, to discuss whether their proposals fit the criteria. Reach her by May 1 by email at aengelhard@cffoxvalley.org or by calling 920-702-7627. Applicants found to meet the criteria will be asked to submit a letter of interest by May 11.

Last year’s initial Forward Together grant helped Appleton-based Catalpa Health establish a behavioral health clinic in Waupaca.

Tim Neuville, president of Neuville Motors in Waupaca and chairman of the WACF’s board of directors, said he and Joy were pleased with the extra service for families that Catalpa brought to the community and hopes to support an equally beneficial project this year.

The Neuvilles established their charitable endowment fund with the nonprofit WACF, a regional family of funds of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, in 2005 to help them engage in current and lasting giving that makes a difference in the Waupaca area. The fund generates grants each year for nonprofit organizations recommended by the Neuvilles.

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City hall HVAC bid higher than expected

By Bert Lehman

Upgrading the HVAC system at Clintonville City Hall will cost the city $92,938, which is $30,000 more than the city had budgeted for the project.

Parks and Recreation Director Justin Mc Auly told the Clintonville Finance Committee at its April 9 meeting that the city received four bids to replace the HVAC system at city hall. The bids ranged from $92,938 to $127,245.

He added that the city’s budget includes $60,000 for the project.

The three highest bids included totals for labor to remove the existing ductwork and install new ductwork, as well as the cost of new ductwork. The cheapest bid that includes new ductwork was for $108,038.

The low bid of $92,938, provided by Jeff Polzin Heating and Electric, didn’t include these costs as the contractor planned to use the existing ductwork.

Mc Auly told the committee that he’s been trying to get this project in the budget for the past three years, but it kept getting pushed back.

“Now we’re at the point where only one of our boilers is working,” Mc Auly said. “Before we had one boiler that worked fulltime, and if there was a need be for a backup, the other one would kick in.”

He added that the boilers were installed in 1978.

Clintonville City Administrator Sharon Eveland told the committee that it had three options for the project. One is the city could use funds from a plow truck overpayment to pay for the amount of the HVAC project over the $60,000 already budgeted.

Another option is the city could use funds from the Spring Street project that the city has postponed. Since the city borrowed the money for the Spring Street project in 2016, the city must spend the funds this year, Eveland said.

Or, the city could elect to not move forward with the HVAC project.

“I’m not saying we shouldn’t do it,” Eveland said. “I’m just saying it is always an option because we are talking about putting upwards of $100,000 into the building.”

The committee recommended accepting the low bid of $92,938 for the HVAC project, which would use existing ductwork. The funds needed that are not in the budget are to come from the capital fund balance.

The city council approved that recommendation the next night at its meeting.

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Board anticipates $822,000 deficit

By Angie Landsverk

Putting off the purchase of elementary language arts textbooks and contracting for food and custodial services are two ideas being discussed in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.

They are among the considerations as administrators anticipate a budget deficit of about $822,000 for the 2018-19 school year.

The district’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

Budget cuts being proposed by the administrative team would drop the deficit down to $316,000, according to District Administrator Scott Bleck.

He said the district could then use its fund balance to offset the remaining deficit.

Drew Niehans, the district’s business manager, said the district is projected to have a $4.4 million fund balance.

Bleck noted the numbers being discussed are preliminary ones.

The school board discussed the topic last month and again on April 9.

The elementary English and language textbooks are due for replacement next school year.

The current textbooks are not aligned with the Common Core standards, Kandi Martin told the board last month.

Martin is the district’s director of pupil services/curriculum.

While the textbooks are not aligned with the standards, she said the elementary teachers are teaching the standards.

Elementary Principal Doug Nowak said each standard and sub-standard is being taught and assessed at the elementary level.

Martin said each part of the curriculum is replaced every seven years.

The replacement of science and social studies textbooks is more critical and takes place more often, she said.

Maps of some parts of the world continue to change was one example Martin cited related to geography.

Changes in language arts textbooks are based on cultural sensitivities, she said.

For example, pictures in the newer books show blended families, Martin said.

She said it would cost $70,000 to $127,000 to replace the K-5 English/language arts textbooks.

Because the district has implemented Project Lead the Way, it bought PLTW textbooks, beginning in the 2016-17 school year.

The district also did not purchase any textbooks this year because of the budget, Martin said.

She said teachers use technology more in the classroom, and board member Kurt Duxbury said the district has done a lot to improve access to it.

Bleck said the process to choose and order new textbooks is nine months minimum.

It would be a push to have new elementary language arts textbooks by the fall, he said.

“So when will we start looking for 2019-20?” board member Sandy Smith asked.

Martin said the process will start in the fall.

“Ultimately, the board will set the priorities as we move forward,” Bleck said.

The oldest material the district ever had before was 7 years old, Martin said.

Now, it will have material that is 9 years old, she said.

Food, custodial
Contracting for food and custodial services is also being discussed.

Bleck said contracting for food services is not a new idea and is something other area districts are doing, including Waupaca, New London and Hortonville.

“Increasing participation is the goal, which increases profitability,” he said.

Board members asked how it would affect staffing.

The vendor would bring resources to build the staff’s skills, Bleck said.

“They know there are known individuals in the district working well and would look to the current staff to meet the needs. But then they become employees of the vendors,” he said.

Board member Jim Stuebs asked Bleck to find out if anyone lost jobs in the Waupaca or New London school districts after those districts switched to contracting for food services.

Bleck agreed to do so.

He wants board approval for a Request for Proposals.

That is expected to be on the agenda when the board meets on Monday, April 23.

A similar conversation is taking place in regard to contracting for custodial services.

“If we move this direction, they (the district’s custodial staff) would be potential employees of the vendor,’ Bleck said.
Smith said it would be important to know the retention rate.

Other budget reductions being proposed are CESA 6 services, staffing and the technology and maintenance budgets.

Bleck said a reduction in professional staffing could take place through attrition or moving staff from one position to another.

“As student demographics change, so do staff needs,” he said.

Bleck also said some planned maintenance repairs could be shifted to another year.

The post W-F faces budget cuts appeared first on Waupaca County Post.

Edith M. Manske, age 88 of New London passed away peacefully at her residence on Monday, April 16, 2018.

She was born on February 20, 1930 in West Allis, daughter of the late Noah and Lydia (Schmidt) Bennetts. On August 2, 1950, Edith was united in marriage to Lawrence Manske. He preceded her in death in 1998. Edith was an avid seamstress and loved sewing. She was a longtime member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church and served on the funeral lunch committee.

Edith is survived by her sons, Stephen (Connie) Manske, Waupaca; Timothy Manske, New London and a daughter Mary (Peter) Zahorai, Cleveland, Ohio; five grandchildren, Stephanie (Brad) Kiefer, Melissa (Eric) Leach, Steven Zahorai, Matthew Zahorai and Marnie Parse; eight great-grandchildren: Myles, Logan, Nathan, Cymbirley, Paige, Maile, Jordan and Ryan and three great-great-grandchildren, MacArthur, Enogh and Colton. She is also survived by other relatives and friends. Her parents, husband and two sisters, Eleanor Olsen and Frances Engel, preceded her in death.

Funeral Mass for Edith will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, New London with Fr. John Kleinschmidt officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in the New Maple Creek Cemetery. The Cline & Hanson Funeral Home in New London is serving the family. www.clinehansonfuneralhome.com

The post Manske, Edith M. appeared first on Waupaca County Post.

The following people were convicted of drinking and driving or operating with a controlled substance in Waupaca County.

• Beth Ann Fletcher, 33, Manawa, sentenced to 180 days in jail with 140 days stayed under the Safe Streets Treatment Options Program (SSTOP), assessed $4,068 in fines and court costs, revoked 36 months for a third offense.

• Ronald S. Kauffman, 50, Manawa, 10 days in jail, assessed $1,597, revoked 12 months for a second offense.

• Mason M. Kampo, 21, New London, 10 days in jail, assessed $1,471, revoked 12 months for a second offense.

• Daniel J. Bosquez, 23, New London, 60 days in jail with 53 days stayed under SSTOP, assessed $1,786, revoked 15 months for a second offense.

• Dustin P. Egdorg, 28, Marion, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

• Heather M. Elmer, 46, Oshkosh, assessed $924, revoked eight months.

• Jordan J. Erickson, 24, Waupaca, assessed $924, revoked eight months.

• Hannah G. Langreck, 22, Marshfield, assessed $843, revoked seven months.

• Lincoln O. Vancuick, 22, Manawa, assessed $811, revoked six months.

• Joshua R. Houtman, 22, Ogdensburg, assessed $854, revoked six months.

• Rachel G. Adams, 23, Kenosha, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

• William R. Winters, 29, Waupaca, assessed $967, revoked eight months.

• Brian W. Anderson, 54, Waupaca, assessed $967, revoked six months.

• Drayke A. Smith, 20, Arkdale, assessed $854, recoked six months.

• Matthew W. Stenson, 54, Iola, assessed $854, revoked six months.

• Nathan J. Paulik, 27, New London, assessed $811, revoked six months.

• Rocky C. Neuman, 22, Pine River, assessed $967, revoked eight months.

• Tanner K. Krusa, 20, Waupaca, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

• Brittany J. Koski, 22, Menasha, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

• Whitney D. Elliott, 25, Waupaca, assessed $1,050, revoked nine months.

• Gregory S. Enerson, 39, Nekoosa, assessed $885, revoked seven months.

The post Drunken driving convictions appeared first on Waupaca County Post.

Winchester Academy hosts historian

Gurda

John Gurda will present “Irish Milwaukee” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 23, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.

Sponsored by Winchester Academy, the program is free and open to the public.

Although Milwaukee is usually associated with Germans, the Irish were the city’s first major immigrant group.

Rising from roots in a ward so tough it was called the “Bloody Third,” Irish Milwaukeeans have scaled the city’s social and economic heights, becoming a fixture on the cultural scene and a perennial power in local politics.

Gurda will tell the group’s story through the lens of its neighborhoods, its tragedies, and its celebrations, filling out the the city’s Celtic dimension.

A Milwaukee-born writer and historian, Gurdao has studied his hometown since 1972. He is the author of 21 books, including histories of Milwaukee-area neighborhoods, industries and places of worship.

“The Making of Milwaukee” is Gurda’s most ambitious effort. With 450 pages and more than 500 illustrations, it is the first full-length history of the community published since 1948.

Gurda also served as scriptwriter and host of an Emmy Award-winning documentary series based on his book in 2006.

“Milwaukee: City of Neighborhoods,” a richly illustrated geographic companion to the general history, followed in 2015.

In addition to his work as an author, Gurda is a lecturer, tour guide, and local history columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College, and he holds master’s degree in Cultural geography and an honorary doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Winchester Academy is funded through sponsors and tax-deductible donations.

Bank First is the sponsor of Gurda’s program.

For more information about Winchester Academy, visit winchesteracademywaupaca.org, follow the group on Facebook, or contact Executive Director Ann Buerger Linden at 715-258-2927 or buergerlinden@gmail.com.

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Scott Bellile's photo of Scott Doucette and Austin Suprise preparing pumpkins for sale outside Festival Foods in New London won an honorable mention for feature photo. Scott Bellile photo

Reporting, photos, design recognized

By Scott Bellile

The New London/Hortonville Press Star brought home 13 state newspaper awards, including three firsts, from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation’s 2017 Better Newspaper Contest Friday, April 13.

The awards recognized content that appeared in the paid weekly newspaper between Sept. 1, 2016 and Aug. 31, 2017. The Press Star was judged in Division F, a category for weekly newspapers with circulations of 2,000 and less.

Award-winning Press Star entries were:
• First Place Feature Photo: John Faucher photographed local U.S. Army veteran John Bekkers watching Mathewson Monuments set a newly donated bronze eagle atop a war monument at the New London Veterans Memorial in Taft Park.

• First Place Editorial Section: The Press Star submitted three opinion/editorial pages that heavily featured local columnists and letter-writers as well as Faucher’s farewell to the late Press Star columnist Roger Pitt.

• First Place Reporting on Local Education: Scott Bellile’s award-winning School District of New London coverage included a school board debate over the district’s agenda policy, a school bus versus semi crash on U.S. Highway 45 and the high twin population at Readfield Elementary School.

• Second Place Front Page: Sue Schroeder designed the Press Star’s front pages and Bellile and Faucher supplied most of the reporting and photography.

• Second Place General News Story: Bellile covered the 2017 jury trial of New London’s Jeffrey L. Van Ark, who was found guilty of first-degree reckless homicide in the methadone overdose of Brandon L. Shadduck.

• Second Place Ongoing/Extended Coverage: A judge called Bellile’s series of articles about a proposed mixed-use public library in New London “a blueprint on how to educate taxpayers on the potential benefits and pitfalls of such a project.”

• Second Place Spot News Photo: Bellile photographed a car bursting into flames next to a tire air pump station at Kwik Trip North in New London.

• Third Place Best Headlines: Bellile titled three stories “Fire fails to scorch businessman’s morale,” “Residents flushed over sewer rate increases” and “Storytellers back for s’more fun with Stories Around the Campfire event.”

• Third Place Breaking News Coverage: Bellile reported on the aforementioned school bus crash and Faucher snapped the photos.

• Third Place Business Coverage: Bellile submitted an article about four deaths in the business community, a local business news roundup and a feature on a Culver’s franchisee deciding against opening a New London restaurant.

• Third Place Portrait or Artistic Photo: Bellile netted an award with his low-angle portrait of Outdoorsmen’s Cuts owner Justine Mecha and then-manager Dawn Jaeger seated in front of the taxidermied animals at their barbershop.

• Third Place Feature Photo: Faucher impressed judges with his photo of Autumn and Connor Mulroy of Hortonville washing their cow at the 2017 Outagamie County Fair in Seymour.

• Honorable Mention Feature Photo: Bellile photographed Royalton Berry Farm employees Scott Doucette and Austin Suprise preparing pumpkins for sale outside Festival Foods in New London.

“l am thrilled that our editorial staff won as many awards across as many of the various categories they did last night at the WNA awards ceremony,” said Dave Wood, a general manager for the Press Star’s parent company Multi Media Channels. “From covering news and sports to having award-winning editorial pages and photos, our papers have become very well rounded with the small but talented staff we have. Our papers continue to improve as the staff becomes more seasoned and look forward to the quality journalism from them in the upcoming year.”

Buyers’ Guide nets pair of awards
The New London Buyers’ Guide, which is also produced in the Press Star office, earned two awards at the Wisconsin Community Papers Annual Conference on April 6.

The free weekly shopper’s guide won First Place Photograph for the picture used on the 2017 New London Area Chamber of Commerce Directory and Community Guide. John Faucher took the picture of a full moon shining over the Wolf River in downtown New London.

The Buyers’ Guide also won an advertising award, Second Place Real Estate Larger Than Half Page. The ad promoted the new Beacon Avenue Cottages, which opened in New London last fall.

“It is truly an honor for us to be recognized by our peers in the newspaper business,” said Tim Schreiber, a general manager for Multi Media Channels. “A lot of creativity from our staff members is represented in receiving these awards. And a huge thank-you to our loyal customers for allowing us to help them grow their businesses by running these ads each week.”

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