Oconto County Times Herald

Competency exam ordered for double-homicide suspect

Published by admin on Wed, 01/18/2023 - 1:29pm

A competency exam has been ordered for a Little Suamico man accused of shooting his mother and her husband to death in October.

David W. Steinmetz, 28, is charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony, in connection with the Oct. 1 deaths of Paul Brennan, 75, and his wife, Lori (Steinmetz) Brennan, 55. He is being held in the Oconto County Jail in lieu of $1 million cash bail.

$500K federal grant to help with Lakewood library

Published by admin on Wed, 01/18/2023 - 1:23pm

Lakes Country Public Library in Lakewood has received word from U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin that their grant request of $500,000 was included in the 2023 federal budget. The money will be used toward an extensive renovation and expansion of the facility.

Oconto County Circuit Court proceedings

Published by admin on Wed, 01/18/2023 - 1:21pm

Proceedings of Jan. 13

Rafael Elroy Garay, 37, Pound, was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by two years of extended supervision, for two counts of felony bail jumping in connection with an incident that occurred Jan. 3. Judge Michael T. Judge ruled that among other conditions of extended supervision, Garay must maintain absolute sobriety and complete all assessments, counseling and treatment deemed necessary by his corrections agent.

Gillett closes special education open enrollment

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 9:47am

The Gillett School District has zero available spaces for special education open enrollment, Special Education Director Jessica Cappeart reported during the Gillett School Board meeting on Jan. 12.

Due to a maximum current caseload and projected caseload, Cappeart recommended that the district set caps and close special education open enrollment. A caseload is the total number of students receiving special education services in a particular grade level or program.

Oconto Falls High School principal to retire in July

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 3:40pm

Oconto Falls High School Principal Dan Moore plans to retire after the end of this school year. The school board accepted his retirement request during its Jan. 8 meeting.

Moore has spent a total of 20 years with the school district in two stints, Superintendent Dean Hess said. His tenure included 13 years as principal of Oconto Falls Elementary School, a position he left for an assistant high school principal post in Oshkosh before returning to serve at OFHS.

Oconto Falls middle school annexation petition OK’d

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 3:38pm

The Oconto Falls School District’s bond rating has been upgraded to A-plus, which likely will help keep the interest rate down as it seeks to borrow money for a new middle school, the school board was told Jan. 9.

Trial rescheduled in Oconto Falls officer shooting

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 3:33pm

A jury trial has been rescheduled for May 30 through June 2 for the woman accused of shooting an Oconto Falls police officer.

Gillett community responds to family in need

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 3:32pm

The Gillett police chief — and a grateful family — are thanking the community for its help in making sure some deserving children had a nice Christmas.

Chief Shane Breitenbach said the department received a letter from an 8-year-old child who lives in the city, asking if someone could help their family during the Christmas season.

“This particular family has been struggling with severe health issues with several members of the family, including the child’s mother,” Breitenbach told the Gillett City Council in his monthly report Jan. 5.

Gillett school to host active shooter training

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 3:31pm

Oconto County Emergency Management plans to hold an Active Shooter Hostage Event Response, or ASHER, training at Gillett Secondary School on Feb. 22, Police Chief Shane Breitenbach told the Gillett City Council on Jan. 5.

The training will include fire, EMS, police and members of the school administration staff, Breitenbach said.

“The training will cover an array of topics, including designated safety zones, building structural limitations, tactical response considerations, emergency responder staging and media release protocols,” he said.

Green Bay firm becomes Gillett city attorney

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 3:30pm

The Gillett City Council on Jan. 5 formally hired the Green Bay law firm of Hinkfuss, Sickel, Petitjean and Wieting as its city attorney.

Alex Sickel sat in on the meeting, the first time in recent memory that a city attorney attended a regular Gillett City Council meeting.

“I look forward to working with the city, and I plan to be available — if not in person, then with the technology, telephone or video conferencing that’s possible these days,” Sickel said.