News – Wisconsin Top News

Jury: Former Slinger band director guilty of sexual assault

Thomas J. McKillen, Editor, Express News — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:18:57 +0000

David T. Hanke, a former band director at Slinger High School, was found guilty by a jury in Washington County Circuit Court on April 25 of one count of sexual assault of a student by school staff.

Hanke was found guilty following a two-day trial. The charge was filed in January 2017 following an investigation about an incident that occurred in 2000 at Hanke’s residence in Hartford. The investigation which led to the charges was prompted by a 2016 letter to the School District of Slinger by the victim, who was 16 at the time of the incident.

The hearing included testimony by two other students who described physical contact with Hanke. Following the verdict, Hanke’s bond was revoked and he was taken to the Washington County Jail. Hanke will be sentenced on June 8.

Hanke was employed by the School District of Slinger for 37 years and retired in 2012. He continued to work as a substitute teacher in the district after his retirement, but the district suspended him from that work once the investigation was started.

Falls police investigated suspicious package

Thomas J. McKillen, Editor, Express News — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 18:19:08 +0000

The back parking lot area of the Menomonee Falls Police Department was closed off for more than two hours March 28 while police investigated a report of a suspicious package.

According to information from Menomonee Falls Police, at 2:07 p.m. a Menomonee Falls company received a package that was “concerning” due to its appearance, unusual labeling and lack of postage. The package was brought in to the Menomonee Falls Police Department. Police summoned the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit to investigate the package.

The back parking lot area of the Police Department was closed off for two-and-a-half hours during the investigation. The Village Hall, library and a nearby school — in which classes were ending for the day — were asked to limit activities away from the parking lot. An examination of the package “determined it to not be a danger” to the public, police stated.

“The MFPD (Menomonee Falls Police Department) encourages suspicious packages to be reported to the police, but it is best for packages to be left in place for police to investigate,” Falls police said in a statement. “The department would like to thank those who were inconvenienced by the precautions for their understanding and cooperation, as well as the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the Menomonee Falls Fire Department for their assistance. This matter remains under investigation.”

Fiber Arts Trail turns craft into community

Capital Newspapers — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 19:24:53 +0000

The Threaded Streams Fiber Arts Trail, now in its second year, will open Thursday with 30 events across four cities.

Over three days, local creative types will tour and introduce themselves in Portage, Baraboo, Lodi and Prairie du Sac, and in some cases take the first steps to being professional artists.

“We call it a creativity weekend because our audience of enthusiasts who like to do road trips like this, they are lifelong learners,” said event organizer Jennifer Wilder, founder of the Wayzata, Minnesota-based Wildwood Press.

The project began with Wilder taking cross-country tours with her sister and sister-in-law in 2009. Wilder was a professional recruiter at a time when no companies were recruiting. In New Mexico, Wilder found a pamphlet at a yarn shop for the New Mexico Fiber Arts Trails.

“I was just like: ‘Wow, we have to do that in Minnesota,’” Wilder said.

In the meantime, she put together and published an art calendar book featuring 125 Midwest fiber artists, giving her a much better idea of the scope of that medium.

“I needed to learn about what people were doing and what they were making, and publishing those books was really instrumental, but now it is really about community building,” said Wilder.

Wilder took the idea of a Midwest fiber arts trail to the Wisconsin Museum of Quilt and Fiber Arts, and the first of the trails was organized in Cedarburg. About four years later, there are five trails, with two in Minnesota and three in Wisconsin, the most recent being added in Madison.

“It’s kind of like the fall art tour because it has Baraboo, Lodi, Prarie du Sac, and Portage,” said Rita Briant, owner of Prairie Flower Beads, who is hosting three workshops on necklace and bracelet making. “And we have some of the guest speakers in Portage this year.”

In its second year, new Portage businesses have joined in the project, which will also includes workshops at the Historic Indian Agency House.

Anne Katz, of Arts Wisconsin, will be the keynote speaker Friday night at the Portage Center for the Arts.

“I don’t live in that world, although I love all the things that people make,” said Katz, who lobbies and advises on the subjects of legislation, entrepreneurship, quality of life, civic impact of art and arts education. “What we try to do is bring everyone together to know how much the arts add to the education, economy and quality of life, and push that message that the arts are for everyone and that everyone is creative, and the arts are important to Wisconsin’s future.”

Part of the experience shared through the project is sharing heritage of 19th and early 20th century textile work and much older traditions from local native arts.

“The heritage that is expressed through the native arts and crafts is something we are trying to promote and speak up for,” said Katz. “We have wonderful artists all over in the state and the native artists that are working in fiber arts and it’s important to express creativity and it’s important to carry on the traditions of a people and it is important to Wisconsin’s life whether you are native or not.”

Events begin Thursday morning and conclude Saturday evening.

“One of the best parts are the relationships that are made between the trail members,” said Wilder. “Maybe they didn’t know people in Baraboo, but they do now and they work on projects.”

DOT to rebuild Hwy. 33 in Baraboo in 2025

Capital Newspapers — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 19:19:33 +0000

Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation plans to rebuild Highway 33 in Baraboo in 2025 at an estimated cost of $9 million. The city’s only on the hook for one-fourth of about $1 million in preliminary design work.

On Monday, the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee voted 3-0 to spend $270,000 to cover a quarter of preliminary engineering costs. This expense may be spread between the 2018 and 2019 budgets. The measure next moves to the full council.

“It’s probably a couple years’ worth of design,” said City Engineer Tom Pinion.

The DOT plans to rebuild nearly 2 miles of the busy and battered road. The project has been a long time coming, as the city has sent annual letters to the DOT asking that it fund Highway 33 reconstruction. In 2016, the city spent $500,000 on its own to rebuild the road’s outer lanes.

“It does appear good things come to those who wait,” Pinion said.

City leaders learned in February that the DOT was working Highway 33 into its six-year plan for major projects. It originally was penciled in for 2024-2026, and now is slated for 2025.

The design phase will reveal whether Highway 33 — which doubles as Eighth Street/Avenue — will continue to be a four-lane artery, or whether a “road diet” will result in single eastbound and westbound lanes, with a turn lane in between. The DOT also may address safety concerns by straightening offset intersections such as the one at Jefferson Street, which makes entering and crossing the roadway challenging.

“They’ll take a hard look at it,” Pinion said.

Preliminary engineering also will help the DOT refine the project’s estimated cost. A previous city-initiated estimate set such a project’s cost at $7 million.

Highway 33/Eighth Street is Baraboo’s key east-west artery. It connects Interstate 90/94 with U.S. Highway 12. Traffic volume ranges from 10,600 to 14,800 vehicles per day, depending on the segment of road.

The federal government will cover 80 percent of the cost of rebuilding 33, with the state chipping in 20 percent. The city will pay for utility work related to water mains, as well as any aesthetic touches it might choose to add.

A rural stretch of 33 east of the city — from Sauk County Highway T to the Columbia County line — was rebuilt in 2010.

Ben Bromley | News Republic

From the newsroom: Falls HS student named Kohl scholar

Express News — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 18:07:10 +0000

By Thomas J. McKillen

Menomonee Falls High School student Basia Klos has been named a Kohl Educational Foundation Scholar for 2018.

“Basia is an exceptional student that is involved in so many aspects of our high school and community,”Falls High School Principal Bob Vitale said in a statement. “This accolade is proof positive that she’s a hard worker and a leader in our school.”

Klos will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation as she has been recognized as high-performing student that has had a wealth of experience in leadership outside of the classroom. Klos is one of 191 students receiving the award.

Excellence Scholarship recipients have demonstrated excellence in the academic arena and high motivation to achieve, have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership outside the academic setting, and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond.

“I think it is significant that Wisconsin’s students, teachers, principals, and schools are recognized for their devotion to education and learning,” said Dr. Chris Cody, WCRIS board president.

Klos was a student-director in this year’s Band Revue, is the principal french horn player for the wind symphony, plays trumpet in jazz band, plays piano, is a member of the Milwaukee Youth Orchestra, was named a National Merit Finalist and an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. She’s a member of the global education academy and is fluent in Polish.

“Herb Kohl, through his philanthropy on behalf of our educators and students, has provided opportunity and access to a better future for countless Wisconsinites,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers.

To date the foundation has awarded $14.5 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students, and schools.

“Education is the key to the future of Wisconsin and our nation. I am very proud of the accomplishments of these students, teachers, and principals and look forward to the great contributions they will make in the future,” Kohl said.

Plea hearings now scheduled for suspects in armed holdup spree

K M Community Papers — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 17:46:33 +0000

by seymour

The main suspect in a string of knife-point armed robberies in Brown and Outagamie counties will have a plea hearing before Brown County Circuit Judge Marc Hammer on Friday, May 11. Joshua Way, 654 Factory St., Seymour, is charged with 13 felonies. Codefendant Jeff Gross, 34, De Pere will have a plea hearing on April 11 on two felonies and one misdemeanor, while Darrin Hill, 28, Oneida, is scheduled for a status conference on April 12 on three felony and one misdemeanor charge.
The trio was arrested in Seymour on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017 after a Seymour officer made a traffic stop. According to the criminal complaint, Way committed the robberies at fast food, two Dollar General locations and convenience stores between Dec. 5-29, 2017 while the other two men served as drivers. A knife was reported used in the holdups.

Seymour student wins Miss Wisconsin Jr. Teen and stands up for bullying

K M Community Papers — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:46:54 +0000

by seymour

Belle VanBoxtel was named the new 2018 USA National Miss Wisconsin Jr. Teen on Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Wisconsin state competition that took place at Southwest High School in Green Bay.
She will now travel to Orlando, Fla. to represent Wisconsin at the National competition from July 1 – 8 and vie for the National title of USA National Miss Jr. teen.
Delegates came from across the state of Wis. and competed over a weekend (starting on Thursday.)
VanBoxtel had to compete in three required phases of competition: Interview, Evening Gown and Runway. These competitions along with the entire competition weekend were to teach young ladies poise, grace, empowerment of each other, and self confidence. All delegates also had a private tour of Lambeau Field, lunch with new friends and a Pink Party where they were able to continue to bond and share the philanthropy work they do within their own communities. By the end of the competition weekend, no matter who took the overall title, crown, banner, and prize package home; they all took home new found friendships, memories, and skills to last a lifetime.
VanBoxtel said, “When I was younger I competed in a pageant called NAM, National American Miss and I was the top runner-up against around 170 other girls.”
She also participates in All Star Cheer which takes up a lot of her time but was invited to try-out for this pageant through some connections with the All Star Cheer program.
VanBoxtel said, “I was bullied for four months verbally and through social media and decided to make my voice heard through this pageant.”
She said her inspiration was Brittany Georgia who she met through All Star Cheer. Georgia pursued her dream and is now Miss Colorado, and VanBoxtel thinks she is a great role model and can’t wait to see her again at Nationals.
VanBoxtel said she learned so much from her experience and it was an amazing opportunity for someone as young as her.
She feels more confident and empowered as a young lady through this experience.
VanBoxtel is also a straight A student and dedicated athlete at Northern Extreme Athletics (All Star Cheer) where she practices in Wausau three times a week.
This pageant is not just a beauty pageant, it’s about being a leader, gaining confidence, healthy living and becoming a role model for the younger girls.
VanBoxtel used her platform to bring awareness of bullying, teen suicide and the need of donations for the local humane societies. She will be making appearances throughout the year, traveling and being a voice for her platform. She also brought awareness to the Seymour police department K9 fundraiser, where they have met their goal.
VanBoxtel is in the seventh grade and 12 years-old and remarked for her birthdays she asks for dog and cat food to donate to the local humane societies.
She would like other girls to follow her footsteps and she is a good inspiration for all young people. Her parents are very proud of her.

Community Surpasses Goal

K M Community Papers — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 17:21:36 +0000

by seymour

20 days, $20,000 for Seymour Police Department K9 program
A generous offer from Carl and Mary Ellen Kuehne was the final push needed for the Seymour Police Department’s K9 fundraising initiative. Their offer to match any donations received from Feb. 18 to March 10 up to $10,000 spurred the community to action. At the end of the 20 day period, the community raised $15,735.83 for a total of $96,858.69.
“Thanks to our supporters, we have reached our goal which will allow us to launch the K9 program,” said Seymour Chief of Police, Richard A. Buntrock. “We’re so thankful for the community and individuals from as far away as Virginia that helped us make the most of this generous matching donation, which exceeded our fundraising goal.”
“Having a K9 unit at the police department will be an incredible tool to not only reduce drug activities in our community, but also track suspects and find missing and endangered people,” said Buntrock. “This program will directly impact the quality of life in northeastern Outagamie County by keeping our students safe at school and providing us with search capabilities for lost children and elderly individuals.” The K9 program will also be available, through existing mutual aid agreements, to help neighboring agencies when they need assistance.
The $96,858.69 raised will now allow us to set-up the K9 program. “With that, I want to commend the leadership, diligence and compassion that Jim and Nancy Campbell provided to help us with this campaign. Additionally, I would like to thank Leonard and Finco Public Relations and Virtualtech Website Design and Promotion RelyLocal Fox Cities.” said Buntrock
We will continue sustainability efforts for the K9 program. To make a tax-deductible donation visit the online fundraising page, www.gofundme.com/seymourk9 or the police department website, www.seymour-pd.com. Donations can also be accepted via cash or check (checks payable to the Seymour Police Department K9 Unit Donation Fund).
CONTACT: Chief of Police, Richard A. Buntrock, (920) 833-2366, RBuntrock@seymour-pd.com.

From the newsroom: Free Spring Fishing Clinics for Kids at 11 park lagoons April 14

Express News — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 18:46:38 +0000

By Thomas J. McKillen

Members of local fishing clubs will teach children the basics of fishing at the 34th Annual Spring Fishing Clinics for Kids, April 14, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., at 11 Milwaukee County Parks.

Clinics are presented by the Milwaukee County Parks, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Council of Sport Fishing Organizations, and the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery.

Children age 15 and under are invited to the hands-on clinics featuring knot tying, safe use of fishing equipment (including casting), and instruction on proper fishing techniques. Clinics also include fish identification, regulations, and ethics. Six locations will offer cleaning and cooking demonstrations.

Parks hosting expanded clinics, with cleaning and cooking demonstrations, are Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Road; Dineen Park, 6901 W. Vienna St.; Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124th St.; Kosciuszko Park, 2201 S. 7th St.; Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St.; and Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Road (wheelchair accessible)

Parks offering basic clinics are Grant–Oak Creek, Mill Pond on Oak Creek Parkway; McCarty Park, 2567 S. 79th St.; McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51st St; Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Drive; and Washington Park, 1859 N. 40 St.

Because a limited number of rods and reels will be available for children to use during the clinics, families are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment. Young children must be accompanied by an adult.

The indoor instructional component of the program will go on no matter what the weather; the outdoor component is weather-dependent. Clinics will run continuously throughout the day, with the last sessions starting at 2 p.m.

Pre-registration is not required for families, but groups of 20 or more are asked to call the Wisconsin DNR at (414) 382-7923.

Retiring school officer introduced at basketball game

Express News — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 18:53:59 +0000

By Thomas J. McKillen
Managing Editor

The Menomonee Falls girls basketball game on Feb. 16 was the last game James Kirchberger worked as a school resource officer with the Menomonee FallsPolice Department.
Kirchberger – a 1972 graduate of Menomonee Falls North High School – retired from the Police Department on Feb. 28, ending a career with the department that began when he was hired on Feb. 14, 1977.

Kirchberger and Anderson are pictured with the high school cheerleaders and student section.
Photo by Thomas J. McKillen

Kirchberger was called to center court at halftime and was introduced to the audience by the public address announcer.
“Officer Kirchberger has been a staple in our community and our schools and has touched so many lives in his time serving this community,” the public address announcer stated.
While with the Menomonee Falls Police Department, Kirchberger served as a police sketch artist, on late and early shifts and in traffic control prior to being appointed as community services and juvenile officer in 1998. Kirchberger has received the Distinguished Service Award, Crime Prevention Award, Instructor Award, the Safe Driving Award, multiple Supervisory Commendations, and Letters of Commendation, according to information from the Menomonee Falls Police Department. He was selected as DARE Officer of the Year in 2007 by the DARE Officers Association.
Members of the Menomonee Falls student section and cheerleaders surrounded Kirchberger and Athletic Director Ryan Anderson during the presentation and posed for a few photos.
Few people knew about the presentation in advance, and Kirchberger wasn’t one of them.
“I heard about it four minutes ago,” he said, adding he didn’t know about it until Anderson called him to the gym. “It’s very meaningful and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work in the schools for so many years as a police officer,” Kirchberger said. “I’m going to miss it – the staff, the students, the everyday interaction with kids.”
He added that when he started with the Police Department, moments like the one he experienced was not in the imagination.
“Never at all. This make it all worthwhile,” he said.