The Year in Review: January, February 2018
By Joe Bachman
Editor
With 2018 just about in the books, we take a look back on the top stories in the Portage County community in 2018. These are stories from January to February, including headlines, briefs, and quotes from these stories.
January
Local Community Theater Wins ‘Best Musical’ Award
By Joe Bachman
Jan. 5, 2018
The Witch, played by Tana De Lonay and Rapunzel, played by Hannah Formella, from ‘Into the Woods’. (Photo: cwACT)
The Broadway World regional awards took place in a record number of markets, according to the Appleton-based theatre news organization. This includes 56 cities with votes coming from 11 countries. Central Wisconsin Area Community Theater (cwACT) took home the award for its fall 2016 performance of Into the Woods.
“It is wonderful to be recognized for the hard work and dedication that cwACT puts into every production,” said cwACT President Scott Price. “The cast and production crew of Into the Woods put on a great show. We are thankful we live in such a supportive community that embraces the arts.”
Bancroft Man Found Guilty of Homicide by Negligent Operation of Vehicle, Sentenced to Six Months
Jan. 16, 2018
Stevens Point City Hall and Portage County Courthouse. (Photo: Joe Bachman, Portage County Gazette)
Scott Sawyer was found guilty of negligent homicide in January. Scott Sawyer’s reckless driving created the longest burnout ever investigated (Over 400 feet/over a football field) which led to Turner, 52, being ejected and killed.
In March, Sawyer was sentenced to six months imprisonment, and 42 months of probation with community service.
“The defendant killed Greg Turner when he stopped his 2014 GT 5.0 Mustang Coyote in the middle of County HWY W in the Town of Pine Grove on April 4, 2015 and floored the vehicle while creating over 400 feet of burnout, said District Attorney Louis J. Molepske, Jr.” “The Wisconsin State Patrol Crash Reconstruction Unit experts and Portage County Sheriff Office Crash Reconstruction expert had never seen a burnout that long in a similar crash reconstruction.”
Regarding the incident, Sawyer informed officers that:
“I’m an aggressive driver; I’m not going to say I’m not. I’m not going to buy a GT 5.0 Mustang Coyote to go back and forth to the grocery store.”
“Tattoos for Triumph” Event Raises Awareness for Human Trafficking
By Joe Bachman
Jan. 18, 2018
Examples of similar tattoos one can get at the Tattoos for Triumph event.
Hundreds would line up to get inked in support awareness for human trafficking. According to event organizer Ally Burke, who is originally from Chile — a nation that sees similar high numbers of trafficking — the sole purpose of this fundraiser goes beyond just getting a tattoo.
The event took place at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 1001 Amber Ave.
“For me it’s educating our community; educating our police departments, and having everyone on-board without it being such a taboo subject.” said Burke.
Happy Trails: County parks director retires after nearly 30 years of improving outdoors
By Heather McDonald
Jan. 19, 2018
Gary Speckmann.
Portage County Parks Director Gary Speckmann retired at the age of 61 on Jan. 13 after working his last weekend at the ski hill of Standing Rocks County Park in a 30-below zero wind chill advisory. He retired after nearly 30 years at the helm of the Portage County Parks system.
“I always told my wife I didn’t want to be one of those crabby old guys, that she had to stop me before I became that. Well, I’m that crabby old guy,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s time.”
February
Stevens Point Officer Receives Meritorious Conduct Award
By Joe Bachman
Feb. 6, 2018
Stevens Point Officer Ashley Hansen received the Meritorious Conduct Award on Tuesday, Feb. 6. She is pictured after receiving her medal with members of the Police & Fire Commission. (City Times Photo)
One of Stevens Point’s finest received a Meritorious Conduct Award at the Feb. 6 Police & Fire Commission meeting.
On Dec. 1, 2017, officer Ashley Hansen responded to the Clark St. bridge for a report of a suicidal juvenile female. When Hansen arrived, the woman had climbed onto the railing, and was facing the river. Hansen approached the individual and would soon talk her out of making a tragic decision.
“Officer Hansen’s quick response in securing this individual and bringing her into protective custody saved this individual from what we’ve unfortunately experienced at times — fatalities because of river drownings,” said Police Chief Marty Skibba. “Her actions show a great credit to herself and the Stevens Point Police Department, the community, and her profession.”
Drohner will be inducted into WFSCA Hall of Fame
By John Kemmeter
Feb. 9, 2018
SPASH softball head coach Tom Drohner.
(John Kemmeter photo)
Drohner has spent the last 20 years as the head coach of the Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) softball team, which he has guided to eight WIAA Division 1 State Titles, 14 State Tournament appearances and 19 Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) Titles.
The induction ceremony took place at the WFSCA Coaches Awards Banquet at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Saturday, Feb. 24.
“It’s an awesome honor,” said Drohner. “When I came to Stevens Point, I always wanted to get involved in the baseball program, and quite honestly, I didn’t know a ton about the game of softball.
“There were a lot of similarities, so I knew I’d enjoy it,” he said. “I just didn’t realize how much I’d end up loving the game.”
Famed PBS program ‘Around the Corner’ visits Stevens Point
Feb. 22, 2018
Famed emmy award-winning actor John McGivern was recently in Stevens Point to promote his episode of ‘Around the Corner’, which focused on the city of Stevens Point. A pre-screening was held on Feb. 20 at Sentry Theater. You can check out the episode in its entirety at the link below.
Stevens Point Area Junior Curlers Earn Bronze Medal at National Championship
Feb. 28, 2018
(from left to right) Elizabeth Rubenzer, Ashton Osterhaus, Rachel Kawleski, and Suzanna Viau.
Stevens Point junior curlers brought home the bronze medal as they competed as Team Wisconsin 1 at the 2018 USA Curling U18 Junior Nationals in Bemidji, Minn. on Feb, 21-25.
The bronze medal-winning team consisted of Skip Suzanna Viau(Stevens Point CC), 3rd Rachel Kawleski (Stevens Point CC), 2nd Ashton Osterhaus(Pardeeville CC), and Lead Elizabeth Rubenzer (Stevens Point CC), competed at a regional qualifier in December and qualified to attend the championship event as Team Wisconsin 1. The U18 Junior Nationals event is a field of the top 12 boys and 12 girls teams from across the nation.
