Latest news with #StevensPointJournal
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Amherst shooting and arrest preceded by fight between two men, according to complaint
STEVENS POINT − A fight that led to one man getting shot and another arrested Sunday in Amherst started with a hug, according to court documents. Justin J. Wojtalewicz, 42, of Amherst, was charged Tuesday with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, aggravated battery with intent to cause great bodily harm, firearm possession by a convicted felon and three counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety. According to the criminal complaint, on Sunday, Portage County deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a home in the 300 block of Mill Street in the village of Amherst. When they arrived at the scene, deputies found a man with a gunshot wound in the leg, who repeatedly said, "I'm dying, I'm dying. I can't breathe." Witnesses told deputies Wojtalewicz had been in the kitchen of the home with a woman and two men when the shooting victim walked in and gave Wojtalewicz a hug, according to the complaint. Wojtalewicz had undergone recent shoulder surgery, and the hug caused him pain. Wojtalewicz "freaked out," turned around and punched the victim in the face, according to the three witnesses. They got into a brief fight and the victim began walking toward the stairs that led to a second floor, according to the complaint. Wojtalewicz told the victim, "Oh, I'm going to shoot you," according to the complaint. Photo scavenger hunt: How well do you know your Stevens Point landmarks? More local news: Stevens Point martial arts teacher faces new charges of child sexual assault The two men began fighting at the bottom of the stairs and the witnesses said the victim got the best of Wojtalewicz. The witnesses pulled the victim off Wojtalewicz, and Wojtalewicz went upstairs to get a gun, according to the complaint. Wojtalewicz came out of an upstairs bedroom with a rifle, according to the complaint. He couldn't find the victim, who had also gone upstairs to a bedroom. Wojtalewicz went outside and looked into the victim's car. The woman went outside to try to stop Wojtalewicz. The victim came downstairs and stepped out onto the porch, and Wojtalewicz shot him, according to the complaint. One of the witnesses then took the rifle away from Wojtalewicz. A helicopter took the victim to Wausau for medical treatment. Medical staff told officers the man's injuries were life-threatening and he could lose his leg, according to the complaint. Wojtalewicz's next court appearance is scheduled for April 28. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 152⅟₂ years in prison. Contact Karen Madden at kmadden@ Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Complaint details what led to Sunday shooting and arrest in Amherst
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet the candidates running for Stevens Point Council District 11 in the April 1 election
Incumbent Shaun Morrow will face challenger James Haine for the District 11 seat on the Stevens Point City Council in the April 1 election. Alderpersons serve a two-year term. To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin. The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for the position. Residence: Stevens Point Age: 81 Occupation and education: Retired University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point professor. Bachelor's degree in industrial management and mathematics from Perdue University, master's degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis and Juris Doctor from Indiana University Law School. Admitted to the State Bar of Indiana in 1975 and State Bar of Wisconsin in 1977. Relevant experience: UW-Stevens Point professor of business and economics, corporate attorney, naval officer (during Vietnam War), computer systems analyst end designer Campaign email address: madjimh43@ Residence: Stevens Point Age: 57 Occupation and education: Wisconsin Department of Corrections; bachelor's degree and master's degree in criminal justice Relevant experience: 25 years working in government and criminal justice, eight years on City Council, understanding of local law enforcement and city and county government Campaign website/Facebook page: None available. Haine: To lend knowledge and experience to help the people of Stevens Point. Morrow: I like being involved in my community and understanding why things happen the way they do. I like helping others maneuver city government to get what they need. I often hear people complain about things in our city they do not want to get involved and do anything about it. I like being able to be in a position to get things done, like getting Second Street North by Willow Brooke repaved. Haine: 1. I'm retired so I can devote full time to my aldermanic duties. 2. I bring many varied life experiences to city government. Morrow: I have a long understand of city and county government. I am still in the workforce and understand what current working families are going through and know how to get things done. Haine: High property taxes. We need to encourage business developers so that additional development can 'take up the slack.' Morrow: The main issue for the city is the continuation of the Business 51 project and getting the planning to a finalized design, whatever that is. This project has been ongoing for several years and is a once-in-a-generation project for a major corridor of the city. With the uncertainty of federal and state funding it is imperative the city gets as quickly as possible whatever grant funding it can secured. Haine: 1. Division Street. This entire study needs to be redone. The proposed roundabout is unsafe. 2. Climate change. The city needs to do everything possible to reduce its carbon footprint − solar panels and geothermal. Morrow: Business 51 and homelessness in Stevens Point. Regarding Business 51, people are aware the majority of the funding is through various federal and state grants. My focus will be on getting a design completed as fast as we can to secure the funding we have. Any delays may result in that funding being pulled. Regarding homelessness, the issues are what caused a person to be homeless. The causes can be anything such as domestic violence, family issues, substance abuse, mental health and so on. Our community is blessed to have a spectrum of services to assist people who are homeless. Haine: We need to do everything possible to support these developments (TIF, etc.) because they will eventually take some burden off of city taxpayers. Morrow: For the Shopko property the question is, what is the proposal? As of now, there is no official proposal the city is looking at. I would look at what is in the best interest of the city and taxpayers. Some people have proposed what they would like, such as housing, entertaining area, restaurants and so on but no developer has brought any plans forward so far. More local news: Stevens Point Personnel Committee ends debate over city administrator position More local news: Goerke Park plans could include aquatic center, inflatable dome, new synthetic turf field Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@ This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: April 2025 election: Stevens Point City Council District 11 candidates
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet the candidates running for Stevens Point Council District 7 in the April 1 election
STEVENS POINT − Incumbent Mary Kneebone will face challenger Tim Johnson for the District 7 seat on the Stevens Point City Council in the April 1 election. Alderpersons serve a two-year term. To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin. The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for the position. Residence: Stevens Point Age: 46 Occupation and education: Desktop support technician at Sentry Insurance Company Relevant experience: No government experience. Campaign website/Facebook page: Tim Johnson for City Council on Facebook Residence: Stevens Point Age: 75 Occupation and education: Retired; bachelor's degree in resource management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and master's degree in urban and regional planning from UW-Madison Relevant experience: I worked as a neighborhood planner with the City of Dallas Housing Department, where I conducted monthly meetings with neighborhood groups in three target areas. I also conducted activities in a neighborhood identified as underserved under the Walker Consent Decree. Campaign website/Facebook page: Kneebone District 7 on Facebook Johnson: In the same spirit of the founding fathers, I'm a concerned citizen who wants to effect change for my community. Kneebone: I want to see the completion of the Plover River Crossing project. It will provide a bike/pedestrian option besides Highway 10 that safely connects both sides of Interstate 39. I want to expand the Hall Nature Preserve I envisioned and brought to fruition last fall. I want to continue to speak for residents on fixed incomes threatened by rising taxes. I want to ensure that the city can help supply truly affordable housing by looking at new housing solutions. Johnson: I listen to all points of view and will change a position if it impacts my district positively, not just myself. Anyone who offers a sound point should never be dismissed. Always listen and evaluate before making a decision. Kneebone: I have had the privilege of serving the residents of District 7 for 10 years. I pride myself on being responsive to constituent concerns and know how to effect change. The city has an alley maintenance program as a result of a complaint by my constituent. Residents reached out to me to ask for the option to park on the street without having to pay. I brought the issue forward and overnight parking is now free. Johnson: My primary concern is safety and budgeting. I'm not a fan of spending money for spending sake. It is not the city's money. It's the taxpayers money. The city is only stewards of it, and we need to be sound stewards. Kneebone: I believe the most pressing issue we face is how to meet the demand for services without taxing people out of their homes. State statutes limit many things local governments can do to raise money. Department budgets have not increased in four years. Any extra income has gone into cost of living raises for city staff. State increases in shared revenue would help ease budget shortfalls. Future councils may have to make some very hard decisions such as what services to cut back or eliminate because there just isn't enough revenue. Johnson: Many are concerned with road diets and the proposed changes to Business 51. I would look at all options on the table and weigh the pros and cons of them all. Then make an informed decision. I would elicit input from those in my district, holding town halls. The voter lives here. They have the biggest stake in any city changes as they're the ones impacted by them. Kneebone: I get a few complaints about potholes and possible code violations. I mostly hear about how high taxes are. The conundrum is how to provide a certain level of service without raising taxes. There are no easy answers but one good method is to continue to expand the tax base with new housing and commercial and manufacturing construction. City staff continue to seek appropriate development, and I have supported their efforts with my votes. Johnson: First and foremost, look to what the citizens want. While the council has to make the decision, all council members should be in touch with the needs of the voters. My personal opinion would be to use that property to create more commercial properties/restaurants to better serve our community. Kneebone: I would support staff seeking an appropriate industrial development. I would consider adding a rail spur to make East Park more attractive to an industry looking to start or expand a business. I support a mixed-usedevelopment on the former Shopko site. We need commercial and housing, so I envision businesses on the ground floor with a mix of affordable and market-rate rentals. I would like to see some green space with benches or a small performance area. We need a place where folks can sit with their kids or grandkids and watch a musician play. More local news: Stevens Point Personnel Committee ends debate over city administrator position More local news: Here's what a zoning code rewrite would mean for Stevens Point property owners Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@ This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: April 2025 election: Stevens Point City Council District 7 candidates
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Meet the candidates running for Stevens Point city clerk in the April 1 election
Aline Cychosz and Susan Pagel will compete for the Stevens Point city clerk position in the April 1 election. City clerks in Stevens Point serve four-year terms. Current clerk Kari Yenter announced in December that she would not seek reelection. To learn more about registering to vote and to find your polling place, visit My Vote Wisconsin. The Stevens Point Journal asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the Stevens Point city clerk's office and why they are running for the position. Residence: Stevens Point Age: 43 Occupation and education: After graduating high school, I joined the U.S. Navy. I have 10 years of experience including supervising a crew of junior sailors for the operations of the maiden voyage of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan. I also developed an organizational system for classified communications. My civilian career includes over 10 years of customer service positions as well as a licensed claims professional for two local insurance companies. Relevant experience: I have been a poll worker in Stevens Point since 2016 having completed the training provided by the current clerk and applying that knowledge to the many scenarios occurring on Election Day. I also have a broad base of experience related to administration, budget and finance, time-management, conflict resolution, negotiation, analytical skills and customer service. These skills are essential for not only elections but also the daily operations of the office. Campaign website/Facebook page: and Cychosz for Clerk on Facebook Residence: Stevens Point Age: 54 Occupation and education: Tax specialist with city of Stevens Point Treasurer's Office; Mid-State Technical College Relevant experience: The treasurer and clerk offices work closely together and interact daily. Every permit, license or application has fees associated with it which are collected by the treasurer's office. I've designed the online payment system, and train the clerk staff on the special assessment system and other financial software. I am familiar with account number structures, budgeting and capital. I am also an election official. My longevity allows me to know the history of why and how things are done and who did them. I know staff and their duties and have good relationships with city and county staff and elected officials. Campaign website/Facebook page: and Susan Pagel for Clerk on Facebook Cychosz: It is important to have a clerk who knows the election process, who can look for areas to improve the voting process both for the voters and the poll workers as well as prepare for the changes ahead. I will also bring a fresh review of the document management systems, record retention procedures and budget of the clerk's office to determine if any efficiencies may be gained. Pagel: I decided to run for the city clerk position because I know how important the job is, and I have a commitment to public service. I am passionate about strong ethical standards and honesty in this role, ensuring the public trust is upheld and residents can feel confident in their local government ensuring transparency and accountability. Cychosz: I am the candidate with the depth of election operations experience in Stevens Point. Running elections correctly affects all city residents and is definitely a job duty where experience matters. I also possess strong administrative, organizational and leadership skills to assist not only in the election coordination but also the many other duties of the city clerk. Pagel: The public knows and trusts me from my decades of professional service. I have high ethical standards and integrity, strong organizational skills and attention to detail to ensure accuracy. I work with every department, and I am familiar with the duties and processes of local government. I have strong interpersonal communication skills to effectively interact with the public, city officials and staff. I swiftly adapt to change, learn quickly and my strong problem-solving abilities enable me to address the dynamic challenges of local government operations. My experience cannot be taught and is extremely valuable to the city's success. More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Stevens Point Journal app Cychosz: Improving the voting process both for the voters and the poll workers. The election process is constantly evolving with the use of technology and the changing laws. We need to be prepared for the changes ahead. I will also bring a fresh review of the document management systems, record retention procedures and budget of the clerk's office to determine if any efficiencies may be gained. Pagel: Election administration and security. The city clerk is responsible for overseeing elections, an increasingly complex duty due to evolving laws, court decisions and public scrutiny. In Wisconsin, for example, recent election law and state constitution changes have required clerks to adapt swiftly to new regulations. Additionally, clerks often face harassment and misinformation campaigns, which can undermine public trust in the electoral process. Promote transparency so processes are clear and accessible to the public. Increase public education by partnering with local organizations and community outreach programs to offer informational sessions and encourage involvement in the election process. Cychosz: Many residents see the clerk's office as the face of city government. The clerk not only answers a variety of inquiries but also redirects residents to other departments and resources. To assist residents in expediting their requests, I will look to expand and update the online resources available including the use of artificial intelligence tools. Pagel: Delayed response times and outdated technology. It is assumed that the clerk's office has all of the answers the public wants. But outdated technology means clerks often face difficulties managing large volumes of documents, promptly responding to public records requests and maintaining compliance with legal requirements. The city needs to modernize our technology and public records management. Transition to digital records and electronic file systems can be challenging due to budget restraints and the need to maintain data security. But we must prioritize our data organization needs to begin to enhance the city's and the public's access to information. More election news: Meet the candidates running for Stevens Point School Board in the April 1 election More local news: DOGE website now lists Rural Housing Service office in Stevens Point among savings Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@ This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Who is running for city clerk in Stevens Point's April 1 election?
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How much snow did Stevens Point get in February? It beat December and January combined
STEVENS POINT − The Stevens Point area received more snow in February than the two previous months combined. As of Feb. 28, the Stevens Point area saw 14.4 inches of snowfall in the month of February, according to the National Weather Service. The amount was 2.9 inches more than the normal 11.5 inches of snowfall the area typically gets in February. It was the 23rd snowiest February, according to records going back to 1893. The highest February snowfall record was set in 2019 when 31.6 inches fell. Since Dec. 1, the Stevens Point area has received 25.5 inches of snow. Of the season's total snowfall, 11.1 inches fell before February with 6.7 inches falling in December and 4.4 inches in January. 'February snowfall totals were above normal in most locations whereas December and January were a little below normal,' Kira Jesse, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Green Bay, told a Stevens Point Journal reporter. 'It looks like we're still below normal for the season in most locations but February definitely brought the most snow out of those three months.' The accumulated snow has almost entirely melted over the last week of daily above-freezing temperatures, which included a monthly high of 52 degrees on Feb. 25. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center gives equal chances to above or below normal temperatures and a higher tendency for above average precipitation for the month of March in central Wisconsin, Jesse said. 'There is a 40-50% chance that precipitation will be above average for the month,' Jesse said. The first week of March is trending toward above normal temperatures. Some precipitation is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday but it is too early to tell if it will fall as rain or snow, Jesse said. There were two significant snow events in February. Between Feb. 8-9, 5.6 inches of snow fell and on Feb. 15-16 4.5 inches fell. These contributed to the season's high of 10 inches snow depth, which has since mostly melted, according to the National Weather Service. The month's lowest temperature was reached on Feb. 18-19 when temperatures reached -15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. A map of accumulated snowfall may also be seen on USA Today's snowfall tracker. Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@ This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Stevens Point received over 14 inches of snow in February
