Wittenberg Enterprise & Birnamwood News

Shawano County set to name new zoning administrator

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/03/2024 - 2:31pm

The Shawano County Planning, Development and Zoning Committee was expected to approve the hiring of a new county zoning administrator when it met Sept. 4.

On the agenda was the discussion and possible approval of a resolution to appoint Kimberly Gierach to the post.

The previous zoning administrator, Jessica Van Buren, is still listed on the county website as the real property lister, a position she held while also serving as zoning administrator.

WBSD tax rate expected to drop once again

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/03/2024 - 2:27pm

Property tax rates for the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District could be dropping for this school year, and they could be lower than district officials estimate.

The current rate is $7.287 per $1,000 of equalized valuation, which means the owner of property valued at $100,000 would pay $728.70 for school district taxes alone. Superintendent Garrett Rogowski announced during the district’s annual meeting Aug. 26 that the tax rate is expected to drop so that the same property owner would only be paying $695.03.

Court News

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/03/2024 - 2:18pm

• Marc R. Haecker, 37, Birnamwood, had his probation revoked March 21 for possession of methamphetamine, felony bail jumping and two misdemeanor counts of operating while revoked. On Aug. 27, Judge Katherine Sloma sentenced him to 18 months in prison, followed by 18 months of extended supervision, with credit for 233 days already served.

• Crystal J. Hager, 35, Suring, pleaded no contest Aug. 27 to possession of methamphetamine. Sloma withheld sentencing and placed her on three years of probation with conditions.

Everyone has their own reason to attend the county fair

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/03/2024 - 2:05pm

There are as many reason to attend the Shawano County Fair as there are people to walk through the gates every year. Carnival rides, games, music, friends, animals and food are among the favorites.

Shawano fifth-grader Jameson Kolodziej is already a seasoned veteran of the fair.

“I’ve been showing at the fair for four years now,” he said. “I’ve shown cows, I’ve shown sheep, I’ve shown pigs, I’ve shown chickens, and I’ve shown turkeys and ducks.”

Public Record

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 09/03/2024 - 10:07am

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Sept. 1

Man rescued after car driven into river

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 8:27am

A 68-year-old Gresham man was rescued nearly six hours after his car crashed into the river near state Highway 29 on Aug. 28.

With help from the Shawano Ambulance Service and the Shawano Area Fire Department, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department removed the driver from the vehicle, transported him a short distance down the river on a fire department boat to a more accessible area and then transported him to a hospital for medical treatment.

Woman faces attempted homicide charge in fire

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 8:25am

A Bowler woman was being held on $150,000 cash bond after she allegedly set a fire that burned down a house in the Town of Bartelme on Aug. 17.

Amanda J. Bowman, 47, was charged in Shawano-Menominee Circuit Court on Aug. 21 with arson, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and six counts of felony bail jumping. She was awaiting trial on charges of possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia when the incident occurred.

Ad hoc committee members tour courthouse

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 8:22am

A tour of the Shawano County Courthouse, including some behind-the-scenes areas, concluded the first meeting of the county’s ad hoc building committee Aug. 28.

The committee of county supervisors, department employees and county residents were introduced to their charge — deciding what to do about the status of county buildings, particularly the courthouse, library, sheriff’s department and jail.

2 die in one-car crash

Published by kjpasson on Fri, 08/30/2024 - 7:48am

One man and one woman died in a one-car accident Aug. 29 in the Town of Bartelme.

The Shawano County Sheriff's Department responded at 5:09 p.m. to the crash at Elm Road near Koan Tuk Drive.

Callers reported the vehicle was on fire and there were severely injured people on scene. Deputies responded to the scene along with the Stockbridge-Munsee Police Department and found the vehicle fully engulfed.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.

USDA grain survey underway

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 7:26am

A sample of producers around the country will receive agricultural survey questionnaires from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2024 production and supply of small grains — including wheat, oats, barley and rye.