The Year in Review: May, June 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 notable stories from May to June, including headlines, briefs, and quotes from these stories.
Almond Shooter Identified, Faces First-Degree Homicide Charges
May 7, 2018
Almond resident Steven Breneman was arrested on May 5, and still faces first-degree homicide charges.
According to sheriff reports, at 6:20 p.m. the Portage County Sheriff’s department received a 911 call regarding a shooting on the 7000 block of Fourth Ave. in the Town of Almond. Deputies arrived at a single-family mobile home to find 45-year-old Donald Brewer shot on his porch, and was deceased.
Two witnesses to the shooting were Brewer’s two sons, aged 12 and 14. They soon identified the suspected shooter as 31-year-old Steven Breneman, who was Brewer’s neighbor. Breneman fled the scene, but was soon taken into custody without incident at approximately 7:21 p.m. that same night.
According to Sheriff Mike Lukas, it appears that the incident stemmed over an alleged extramarital affair.
Rep. Shankland Stands with Students, Faculty, and Staff at “Reclaim the UW” Rally
By Joe Bachman
May 9, 2018
On Wednesday, Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) joined UWSP students, as she spoke at the “Reclaim the UW” rally, which was organized by students to protest the proposed program cuts at UW-Stevens Point and demand more state funding for the UW System.
Pointer student Olivia De Valk was on hand for the rally to represent Stevens Point.
“Today’s rally brought UW Campuses together to demand change. Our schools need adequate funding to provide diverse educational opportunities,” said De Valk. “Our students deserve a great affordable education because education is a public good. Everyone benefits from well educated citizens.”
In her speech, Rep. Shankland made the following remarks:
“Access to higher education is key to the American Dream. It’s not just about finding a job, it’s not just about earning more over a lifetime, it’s about being exposed to new ideas and new people, and learning how to think instead of what to think. It’s about challenging yourself and joining the future leaders and innovators in our state.
Stanley Street Road Diet Approved by Council
By Joe Bachman
May 16, 2018
The saga of Stanley Street continued another chapter, however, this was from the end of the highly debated project.
The measure would have the Public Works department solicit bids in June for a project that will see four car lanes reduced to three from Michigan Avenue to Indiana or Lindbergh Avenue. Re-striped lanes will include a standard 14 foot two-way left turn lane, as well as five foot demarcated shoulders (bike lanes) in both directions. Minnesota Avenue will also be affected, as that intersection at Stanley Street will have all-way stop signs added to it. This includes appropriate transitions at the east end of the lane conversion.
However, these plans would falter a little once bids were solicited as time would show.
SPASH softball wins 19th consecutive Conference Title
By John Kemmeter
May 18, 2018
The Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) softball team continued its run through the Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) this season, as it 10-run ruled D.C. Everest at Fire Pro Field in Plover Tuesday, May 15, to win its 19th consecutive Conference Title outright.
“It’s a great feeling to know I went through my four years of SPASH softball, a Conference Champion in all of them,” said senior right fielder Halle Pavelski. “And it’s awesome just to be a part of such a great tradition.
“I’m really excited that we won conference, because it’s definitely one of our goals,” she said. “But we have more that we want to accomplish, and this is just the first step.”
Community celebrates symbolic groundbreaking for Cultural Commons
By Joe Bachman
May 30, 2018
Members of the Cultural Commons project didn’t let mother nature stand in their way, as due to inclement weather, moved close to a hundred people into Graffiti’s Sports Pub on Wednesday afternoon for a celebration of the Cultural Commons gardens.
Those within this Pfiffner Park project seek to build a bridge between communities in Wisconsin, Nicaragua, Russia and Poland. On Wednesday, they celebrated a groundbreaking for the new gardens to celebrate such a cultural diversity and connection between neighborhoods, spreads thousands of miles apart.
“This has been a culmination of over three years of work by a very large group of dedicated people,” said Stevens Point Rotary Club representative Nick Inman. “…This is something that will impact the community in a very positive way.”
June
Planning Commission takes further steps in Emerson Park dedication
By Joe Bachman
June 5, 2018
Planning commission members continued steps into dedicating the property at 1401 East Ave., otherwise known as the former site of Emerson school, into a park.
City officials believe the property is best used for a park, and has officially recommended that the entire space be used as such. According to city documents:
“This will give the City and other groups and organizations the opportunity to appropriately program the area. This return has many benefits for the surrounding neighborhood and can also raise property values, thus creating additional tax revenue.”
Emerson Park will move forward by following the adotoped 2018-2022 Comprehensive Outdoor Park and Recreation Plan.
“This will be the first park that Stevens Point has ever developed that wasn’t on the edge of the city…this is a big deal.” – resident Michael O’Meara
Updates on potential new city hall unveiled to city officials
By Joe Bachman
June 19, 2018
A glimpse into the possible future new city hall was presented to council members on June 19.
A presentation was made by architect Nathan Schieve, of Bray Architects, unveiling what could be the new city hall. Last year, the city purchased three properties; two on Water Street and one on Arlington Place, that would serve as the future site of the new government building. The reasons for this venture, aside from stepping away from a part-ownership with the county of the current city hall, range from the necessity for extra space, better functionality, and more parking.
In addition, city memos indicate that it may be more cost-effective to move into a new building, as opposed to remodel the current facility. The latter option would also prohibit any future growth.
Portage County Health Care Center eyes future referendum to raise levy limit
By Joe Bachman
June 20, 2018
A referendum on the future of the Portage County Health Care Center is still on the table, and potentially in the works.
County Executive Chris Holman presented supervisors with an update at last night’s county board meeting, and the slight hurdles regarding a deadline set by the Department of Revenue when it comes to a referendum regarding the future of the facility. Alarm bells sounded in 2017, when according to the 2018 county budget, the health care center had a $920,883 deficiency, which if pushed to the limit would mean the facility would not be able to fund itself. An increase in the levy limit could keep the center going temporarily.
Results from a most recent state survey indicated that a large majority of residents not only wanted to keep the 80-year-old facility, but keep it county-owned, as well. However, the reality these residents face is how to fund the facility, and whether or not to go forward with potential options of renovation, partnering with the private sector, or constructing a new home completely.
As we know, this would later go to a county-wide referendum in November.
Heck started on Amherst’s State Championship team
By John Kemmter
June 28, 2018
Dylan Heck, a starting linebacker on Amherst High School’s 2015 WIAA Division 5 State Championship football team, died in a motorcycle accident in the Town of Buena Vista Thursday, June 21.
Heck, 20, of Almond, broke into the starting lineup for the Amherst football team as a senior, when the Falcons finished 14-0 and won the State Title with a 42-0 win Spencer/Marshfield Columbus in the State Championship Game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
“It’s heart-breaking, and not just for myself and the team, but the whole community,” said Amherst football head coach Mark Lusic. “It’s a terrible thing when you lose a 20-year-old kid to a tragic accident.
“He’ll be really missed by everyone,” he said.