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 July to August, including headlines, briefs, and quotes from these stories.

July

Breitbach named UWSP football head coach
By John Kemmeter
July 6, 2018

Greg Breitbach (left) was introduced as the head coach for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) football team by athletic director Brad Duckworth (right) during a press conference at the school Monday, July 2. (John Kemmeter photo)

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) athletic director Brad Duckworth named Greg Breitbach as the new head coach of the UWSP football team Monday, July 2.

Breitbach takes over for Tom Journell, who stepped down April 23 to become the head coach at NCAA Division III Carleton College (Minn.), after the Pointers went 4-6 last season and 29-31 in his six seasons as the head coach.

“We wanted somebody committed to Pointer football and somebody who could get us back to being one of the teams competing for the Conference Championship year in and year out, and competing in the NCAA Tournament,” said UWSP athletic director Brad Duckworth. “There were several folks in the pool that rose, that we thought could do a good job, and certainly we’re proud of the depth and quality in our pool, and when it boiled down to it, there was a familiar name to Stevens Point that just kept coming back to us.

“And what he said to me in the process really rung true, ‘if we do everything the right way, winning will follow,’” he said. “And that’s exactly what we were looking for.”

Stolen UW-Stevens Point museum wolf mount recovered
July 9, 2018

(Contributed)

A timber wolf mount, stolen from the Museum of Natural History at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in May, has been recovered.

According to a university press release, it was found Sunday morning, July 8, along a trail in Schmeeckle Reserve. It appeared to have been placed there early that day and was in good condition, according to University Police Chief Tony Babl. A note was found under its paw about “running away.”

Museum Director Ray Reser is thrilled to have the wolf mount back. He obtained the young male wolf in 2011 from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after it was hit by a car in Shawano County.

According to Reser, “Museum visitors were devastated when it disappeared.”

Three suspects identified in Saturday’s armed robbery
July 17, 2018

Charles Miller. (Photo: Portage County Jail)

On Saturday, July 14, at approximately 6:08 a.m., police responded to the report of an armed robbery at the 13th Floor Canteen on 1109 Park St. Two suspects entered the bar shortly after the victim had opened for the day. One of the suspects brandished a long gun during the robbery.

These two suspects left shortly after taking a then unconfirmed amount of cash from the bar. There were no injuries as a result of the robbery.

On July 17, two suspects have now been identified as 30-year-old Charles A. Miller, of Wisconsin Rapids, and 25-year-old Taydisa Strassburg, of Stevens Point. Miller was apprehended early today at a Stevens Point hotel, and is currently being held at the Portage County Jail for outstanding warrants. Strassburg is also being held for outstanding warrants, but at the Marathon County Jail.

Police apprehend suspect in Monday morning armed robbery
July 23

Antonio Cruz. (Photo: Portage County Sheriff’s Department)

Police are investigating yet another armed robbery in the area, this time at Center Point Drive and Third Street.

According to police reports, on Monday, July 23 at 1:21 a.m., officer’s responded to a report of an armed robbery near the intersection of Center Point Drive and Third Street. Multiple agencies responded to the area.

Upon arrival at the robbery scene, officers were advised that a drug deal had been set up between the victim and the suspect, 17-year-old Antonio Cruz. The victim alleged that he was robbed by Cruz with a handgun and $250 was taken.

According to police, the victim knows the suspect through previous contacts.

Man claiming racial profiling and local police at impasse over incident
by Joe Bachman
July 27, 2018

A screenshot of video released by police involving Deandre Pettiford-Bates on July 23, 2018.

Local law enforcement may or may not have racially profiled a 25-year-old Deandre Pettiford Bates, depending on who you ask — however, the focus could arguably be shifted to a culture in which this discussion even exists in the first place, rather than what actually happened.

This week, local police have come under fire from many on social media for the alleged racial profiling of a man stopped during the search for an armed robbery suspect on Monday, July 23.

However, after detailed reports, including scant video surveillance, it is apparent that officers from the Portage County Sheriff’s Department, and Stevens Point Police Department may have committed no misconduct at all — but again, depending on who you ask.

“I hope the people of Stevens Point can co-exist without the racial tension and biased views this situation may have caused, but also I have hopes this could be a learning opportunity for all of us to love our neighbors, friends, community, and the people who are sworn to protect it.” – Deandre Pettiford-Bates

Health care committee officials pass draft resolution for possible November referendum
By Joe Bachman
July 27, 2018

District 71 Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) spoke in favor of the Portage County Health Care Center referendum on Thursday night. (City Times/Gazette photo)

Health care committee officials have passed a draft resolution that will likely see a November referendum on whether or not taxes will be raised in order to keep the The Portage County Health Care Center alive. The proposal will ask residents if the health care center is worth increasing property taxes by approximately $1.3 million a year from 2019-2023.

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.

“Essentially, their decision to endorse this resolution in concept begins the process of moving it along so that it can be brought to the county board with enough time to get it to the county clerk to meet the statutory deadline of having it to the county clerk 70 days prior to the election,” said Holman.

August

Local fastpitch squad wins national championship
Aug. 6, 2018

The Point FASTPITCH 14U team won the ASA/USA 14U Northern National Championship in Decatur Ill., July 23-29. (Contributed photo)

The Point FASTPITCH 14U team culminated their season this past week with a ASA/USA 14U Northern National Championship victory in Decatur, Ill.

The team went 6-0 on the weekend before rain washed out the tournament on Sunday. Since Point FASTPITCH was the only unbeaten team standing on the rainy Sunday morning, they were crowned National Champions.

On the Season Point FASTPITCH 14U finished 25-10 with a July record of 15-2 and an eleven game winning streak that included a 5th place finish at ASA State, the Point FASTPITCH Classic Championship and the ASA / USA National title.

“A tremendous group of athletes with great ability and awesome character. 1-0!”

Two charged in overdose death of Plover man
Aug. 13, 2018

Craig Reynolds (left) and Jeremy Zanders (right) Photos: Portage County Jail.

Two have been charged in the reckless homicide death of a Plover man in May.

According to police reports, on May 4, authorities were called to an apartment on the 3500 block of Willow Drive in Plover for what would be the heroin-related overdose death of 23-year-old Alejandro James Lovett. Detectives were in contact with Lovett on May 3, in which they were informed that Lovett was asked to give the defendant, 39-year-old Craig Reynolds, a ride to Milwaukee to purchase heroin.

After a search warrant of Reynold’s home in Stockton on May 5, they would find quantities of Acetylfentanyl, fentanyl, and quinine, in similar foil wrappings as they would find at the scene of Lovett’s home. Reynold’s acquaintance was also at the scene during the search warrant, who later cooperated with authorities to reveal the Milwaukee source.

Stanley Street bidders “ran out of time”, still interested in project
By Joe Bachman
Aug. 14, 2018

An update was given regarding the progress of bids for the Stanley Street re-striping/road diet project at Monday night’s Public Works meeting.

According to Public Works director Scott Beduhn, contract bidders simply ran out of time on completing bids, but this does not mean that the project will cease to move forward. After making contact with multiple bidders, nothing in the language or specifics of the bid stood out as a problem with the exception of time.

“They ran out of time,” said Beduhn. “…but they are very interested in doing it starting putting numbers together — our intent is to get that back out on the street since we know we have interest.”

County Board approves three referendums on November ballot
By Joe Bachman
Aug. 16, 2018

The Portage Co. Health Care Center on the corner on Whiting Ave. and Water St. (City Times photo)

Portage County residents will have three referendums to vote on this November, as county board officials confirmed the addition of three referendums to the November elections.

County officials moved first to create a referendum urging state legislators to close dark store loopholes, where large retailers, such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and others, are allowed to pay less in property taxes due to an assessment of the store’s property based solely on ‘bricks and mortar’, and not the value of the business or products and inventory carried in store.

Second on the agenda was the near-unanimous approval of adding a referendum that would urge state officials to allow access for those with certain medical conditions to medical marijuana. The move comes in light of the continued opiate epidemic, and contributes medical marijuana as a viable treatment option to help curb opiate and prescription drug addition in Portage County.

The referendum will ask residents if the health care center is worth increasing property taxes by approximately $1.4 million a year from 2019-2022, for a total of four years. This would result in a newly amended 5.224 percent increase over the allowable levy by the state. An amendment was made to the initial proposal which sees this increase for only four years, as opposed to five. This came after an amendment of six years was voted down. The total levy amount will be in the amount of $28,201,817.

Suspect arrested for disappearance of Krista Sypher
By Joe Bachman
Aug. 27, 2018

Jason Sypher. (Photo: Portage County Jail)

Jason Sypher, charged with the murder of his wife, 44-year-old Krista Sypher, made his appearance in court today via video conference.

A $750,000 bond was set for Jason Sypher, who currently lives in Illinois. His attorney Gary Kryshak initially called the $1 million bond set by the prosecutor as unnecessary given a “weak” case. Kryshak had been hired as Sypher’s attorney since April 2017.

“The nature of the case is such that it’s a case of deception; it’s a case of going to extreme measures to thwart responsibility and to try numerous lies in the entire investigation.” -Wisconsin DOJ Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor Annie Jay

Community dedicates Emerson Park
Aug. 28, 2018

Photo from the Park Dedication (From L to R: Mike Bialas, Alder Cindy Nebel, Garrett Ryan, Alder Meleesa Johnson and Mayor Mike Wiza) (Contributed)

On Sunday, August 26, about 100 community residents gathered at the site of the newest addition to the City’s park system to dedicate Emerson Park.

The site is the location of Emerson School which was built in 1892 and was part of the City school district. In 1983 the district was changed to a unified school district and all related property was turned over to the new Stevens Point Area School District. In 2002, the building was razed and buried onsite.

“Since that time the site has been used as a neighborhood park, but no improvements were made”, said Mayor Mike Wiza. “The process has been worked on by three different Mayors and several Superintendents to return this property back to the city and create an official park.”

The City Parks Department is currently formulating a long term plan for the area. The citizen group, Friends of Emerson Park, have been instrumental in keeping the project front and center.