News

Performance Food Group Company (PFG) on Monday announced it has acquired Reinhart Foodservice, L.L.C. from Reyes Holdings, L.L.C. in a transaction valued at $2.0 billion. The acquisition positions the new company to be one of the largest food service distributors in the U.S. with about $30 billion in net sales, per a news release from the purchaser.

Reinhart has operated a distribution center in Shawano at 2655 E. Richmond Street for the past 39 years and currently has 268 full-time employees. It is the second largest privately-held food service distributor in the U.S., and will contribute annual net sales of over $6 billion to the new business.

Founded in 1972 in LaCrosse, Reinhart Foodservice is a part of the Reyes Family of Businesses.

The Shawano Redevelopment Authority is close to finalizing a program it will make available to property owners soon aimed at encouraging housing rehabilitation, particularly in the downtown.

At an RDA meeting last week, members discussed components of the program, which is likely to include a mix of low-interest loans and grant money.

The RDA has $417,000 available for the program as a result of the closing of two of the city’s Tax Incremental Finance districts.

City Administrator Eddie Sheppard said the question for the RDA to answer is the extent of financial support that should be offered.

“What’s a reasonable amount to be considered when we’re talking about grants and loans and things like that, especially with the costs of rehabs being what they are,” he said.

“Our goal is to really try and kick-start some redevelopment,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard said a low-interest loan by itself is not likely to draw participants.

Shawano Police Department

June 30

Police logged 29 incidents, including the following:

Assault — Police investigated an assault complaint in the 800 block of East Richmond Street.

Accident — Police responded to a property damage accident at Oshkosh and Smalley Streets.

Disorderly — A charge of disorderly conduct was referred against a 37-year-old Shawano man after police responded to an intoxicated person complaint at Sturgeon Park, 811 S. Water St.

Theft — Police investigated a property theft complaint in the 600 block of Richmond Court.

June 29

Police logged 27 incidents, including the following:

Harassment — Police responded to a harassment complaint in the 800 block of South Park Street.

Juvenile — Police responded to juvenile problems in the 600 block of West Fifth Street, 600 block of South Union Street and 100 block of North Bartlett Street.

It was a wet and fun introduction to waterskiing June 21 when the Shawano Ski Sharks held one of their summer learn to ski programs.

“It was perfect, just perfect,” said Sarah Cary, of Green Bay, after her turn.

Dave Passehl, Ski Sharks president, said 30 children and 28 “adaptive skiers” paticipated in the program that’s been around for at least five years. Passehl said the adaptive skier turnout was the largest the club has seen to date. The adaptive program is for those incapable of maneuvering conventional skis. The adaptive ski, costing around $3,000, marries a wide board like a surfboard or paddleboard with a chair. The adaptive skier is braced by two other skiers.

The district attorney’s office for Shawano and Menominee counties would get some long-awaited and much-needed help starting next year under the state budget sent to Gov. Tony Evers.

The budget bill calls for additional assistant district attorneys in dozens of under-staffed district attorneys’ offices around the state, including one in the Shawano-Menominee County DA’s office.

The budget proposal would add nearly 65 prosecutors to district attorney offices across the state, including 18 in counties across Northeast Wisconsin.

The office here is staffed by District Attorney Greg Parker and two assistant prosecutors.

“If this bill is signed by the governor this would be extremely helpful in the administration of justice for the victim and non-victim cases in handling the caseload in my office,” Parker said.

Free food will always bring in a crowd. Taco John’s, the newest fast food restaurant in Wittenberg, opened in a big way June 10 by giving golden coupons to the first 50 customers.

The lure of getting a free order of Potato Ole’s every day for a year inspired Will Urquhart, senior at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, to arrive at 4 a.m. to be first in line.

Before the restaurant opened its doors at 10 a.m., the Wittenberg Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“How exciting to have a new business begin their journey here in Wittenberg,” said Sally Jo Stevens, chamber president. “The Wittenberg Area Chamber of Commerce is proud of our community and wishes Taco John’s and their family all the best of luck.”

The franchise is operated by Julie and Herman Basuki, who also operate Taco John’s in Antigo and Rhinelander. They plan to employ about 30 people.

Shawano Police Department

June 26

Police logged 23 incidents, including the following:

Disturbances — Charges were referred against a 35-year-old Shawano man for domestic violence-related battery and disorderly conduct in the 1300 block of South Union Street. A 25-year-old Shawano man was arrested for disorderly conduct/domestic in the 700 block of South Hamlin Street. A 39-year-old Shawano man was arrested for disorderly conduct/domestic and criminal damage to property in the 400 block of West Third Street.

OWI — A 24-year-old Shawano man was arrested for operating while intoxicated and an outstanding warrant at Richmond and Sawyer streets.

Theft — Medication and credit cards were reported stolen from a vehicle at Four Seasons, 201 N. Airport Drive.

Disorderly — Police responded to a lewd and lascivious behavior complaint at the Shawano Public Library, 128 S. Sawyer St.

It now looks as if it will be next spring at the soonest before work begins on a proposed luxury apartment complex at the former Shawano Medical Center property.

The project was initially expected to get under way this fall.

“It’s in kind of a holding pattern,” City Administrator Eddie Sheppard said.

“Everything’s still in place,” Sheppard said and all parties have finally agreed on the language in the developer’s agreement that will eventually be brought before the Shawano Common Council for approval.

“The issue now is timing,” Sheppard said.

Tadych Investment Partners LLC of Green Bay, which is proposing buying the former hospital property for $500,000, has been busy with other projects that have delayed its plans in Shawano, according to Sheppard.

“It’s kind of on the back burner right now,” he said.

However, Sheppard said, Tadych still plans to move forward with the project.

Shawano Police Department

June 25

Police logged 24 incidents, including the following:

OAR — A 19-year-old Shawano woman was cited for operating after revocation and arrested for a probation violation in the 900 block of East Green Bay Street.

Arrests — A 40-year-old Shawano man was arrested for an outstanding warrant, and a 21-year-old Shawano man was arrested for a probation violation at the probation and parole offices, 1340 E. Green Bay St.

Accident — Police responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at Lincoln and Green Bay streets.

Shoplifting — Walmart, 1244 E. Green Bay St., and Charlie’s County Market, 521 S. Main St., reported shoplifting incidents.

Shawano County Sheriff’s Department

June 25

Deputies logged 48 incidents, including the following:

Water levels will go up in Shawano Lake, the Wolf River above the Shawano dam and the channel linking the two bodies of water in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

That’s the result of a Wednesday order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to the operators of the Shawano dam to immediately maintain the water level at 802.9 feet above sea level “as soon as authorized by the Commission.” The order directs Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, the dam operator, to maintain the higher water level until Nov. 15.

Melissa Rondou, Eagle Creek staff member in Neshkoro, said the FERC order was “started immediately” within its operating plan. She said the plan calls for the gradual raising of the water.

Although the level at the dam will change almost immediately, she said, “Filling up the bathtub (referring to Shawano Lake) may take a little longer. Hopefully, the lake will be up by the holiday weekend.”