Wittenberg Enterprise & Birnamwood News

USDA releases crop production report

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 08/13/2024 - 8:30am

Wisconsin corn production is forecast at 538 million bushels, down 3% from the previous year, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report.

Based on conditions as of Aug. 1, yields are expected to average 183 bushels per acre, up seven bushels from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 3.75 million acres. An estimated 2.94 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain.

County parks staff in no rush to see summer end

Published by kjpasson on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 3:33pm

unsaved changes
Seasons come and seasons go, but the Shawano County Parks Department staff aren’t in any rush to close out the summer.

High school athletics are already underway, and Keith Marquardt, county parks director, has to start shuffling the workers’ schedules to accommodate athletes.

“I have two or three girls that are tennis players,” he said. “They can only work after 3 right now and then it switches to evening practices, so then they can only work up till 3.”

Fairgrounds lease gets committee approval

Published by kjpasson on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 3:26pm

unsaved changes
A new 10-year lease for the Shawano Area Agricultural Society to operate the Shawano County Fairgrounds took a step forward earlier this month.

The Shawano County Public Property Committee on Aug. 8 approved the deal, which will be forwarded to the Shawano County Board for approval at its Aug. 28 meeting.

Operation of the fairgrounds was subject to a 10-year deal that ran through Dec. 31, 2025. However, the updated lease will run from Aug. 28, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2033.

Public Record

Published by kjpasson on Mon, 08/12/2024 - 3:25pm

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

Aug. 11

DATCP taking watershed protection grants applications

Published by kjpasson on Thu, 08/08/2024 - 7:51am

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for 2025 Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants through Sept. 13.

These grants are awarded to producer-led groups to help support and advance producer-led conservation solutions and farmer participation in local watershed conservation efforts.

Send your child to school with these helpful backpack tips

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 8:06am

Backpacks are a practical and useful way to get textbooks and supplies to and from school. When used properly, they should ease your child’s load, not make it worse.

“Improper backpack usage among children can lead to neck pain, headaches, back pain and hip pain,” said Megan Stankowski, physical therapist with Aspirus Health. “Preventing these injuries may require parents to check in, observe and gently remind their kids to make some adjustments to how they use their backpacks.”

Honey bee colonies on the rise in state

Published by kjpasson on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 7:53am

Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in Wisconsin as of Jan. 1 totaled 31,000 colonies. This was up 15% from 27,000 colonies on Jan. 1 last year but down 37% from 49,000 colonies on Oct. 1, 2023.

The maximum number of colonies during the January-March 2024 quarter was 55,000.

College News

Published by kjpasson on Tue, 08/06/2024 - 4:13pm

UW-Eau Claire

Area students graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in May included the following.

Abrams: Emily Elliott, Nursing and Health Sciences, bachelor of science in nursing.

Oconto Falls: Autumn Canavera, Nursing and Health Sciences, bachelor of science in nursing.

Sobieski: Jessica Jansen, Arts and Sciences, bachelor of science, biology.

Cookout intertwines people with law enforcement officers

Published by admin on Thu, 08/01/2024 - 1:55pm

Grilling burgers and hot dogs can attract a crowd, and that’s exactly what the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department had in mind.

Dozens of people flocked to Washington Park in Wittenberg on July 31 to meet some of the county deputies and enjoy a tasty meal. Some of the children even played sports with the deputies. An added touch to the event was face painting, although most of the focus of the event was to introduce law enforcement in a positive light.

Leeder set to stand trial

Published by admin on Thu, 08/01/2024 - 1:52pm

It has been more than a year since Mindy S. Leeder was charged with one count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in a case of gun waving at a park in Wittenberg.

Now, it appears that Leeder’s case will be moving forward to trial, which won’t take place until January 2025.

If convicted, Leeder faces $25,000 in fines and 12 1/2 years in prison for the first-degree recklessly endangering safety count and $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail for the disorderly conduct count.