Excitement filled the Oconto Falls community when the high school volleyball team competed at the state tournament this fall, making it the No. 1 story of 2013, as decided by the staff of the Oconto County Times Herald. A complete list follows.
1. Volleyball team competes at state
The Oconto Falls High School volleyball team lost to undefeated East Troy 3-0 in the WIAA Division 2 state semifinal Nov. 8 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. As much as the loss hurt, coach Dawn Larsen said her team accomplished its one goal this season — making it to state. “One Team, One Dream” was the team motto. East Troy (44-0) beat Oconto Falls (42-4) 25-21, 25-14, 25-15. The following day, East Troy swept Madison Edgewood in the WIAA Division 2 championship.
2. County Board agrees to build jail
The Oconto County Board in September voted to build a law enforcement center in the middle of Oconto, adjacent to the courthouse. Supervisors reversed their decision to build on a 14-acre parcel in Little River. Instead, they voted to build the center on the block north of the courthouse and agreed to begin the process of acquiring 14 properties needed for the site. The facility is expected to cost up to $25 million and will replace an outdated facility in the courthouse complex that needs major repairs. Capacity is also a issue.
3. Arsonist sentenced
Drew Christensen, 29, convicted of six counts of arson, was sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison followed by 14 years extended supervision.
The Suring man was found guilty of setting fire to the Everbreeze resort bar in Mountain in October 2009, a trailer home that served as a summer get-away in the town of Bagley in August 2011, a house in the town of Stephenson in June 2011, the Klondike Community Church in March 2012, a garage in Bagley in January 2012 and Jaded Bar in Bagley in July 2012.
He was ordered to pay $675,137 in restitution and is jointly responsible with two others for restitution of $293,980.
4. Guilty verdict in cold case
A jury on Dec. 10 found Peter Hanson, 53, guilty of the murder of Chad McLean, a Green Bay teen.
McLean, 19, had a chance encounter with Hanson and his buddy, Charles Mlados, after stopping with a friend at a home in Abrams in February 1998. McLean was missing for a month before his body was found in the river about a mile from Hanson’s Abrams home. He died of gunshot wounds to the head.
Several witnesses testified Hanson confessed that he committed the murder.
5. Man guilty of double murder
A jury found Daniel Schmidt, 30, guilty of two counts of homicide for the murders of his ex-mistress, Kimberly Rose, and her brother, Leonard Marsh, in 2009. The siblings were found dead in the town of Gillett home they shared.
The prosecution built its case on mostly circumstantial evidence that centered on Schmidt’s desire to stop Rose from disrupting his marriage.
6. Wrestlers win gold at state
Senior Jake Morrissey became the first wrestler in Oconto Falls High School history to win three state titles. Two teammates — senior Mitch Friedman and sophomore Dewey Krueger — also won titles at the WIAA Division 2 championships at the Kohl Center, making it the second time in three years that three Panthers claimed individual gold medals in Madison.
Wrestling at 170 pounds, Morrissey finished his season undefeated in 44 matches with an 18-4 major decision. Friedman also finished 44-0 at 138 pounds, winning 5-2 in the championship match. Krueger (42-1), at 132 pounds, won 4-1.
7. Students return to renovated school
St. Anthony School, closed since February 2012 following an arson fire, reopened Sept. 3 for students and staff. The school underwent a $2.5 million upgrade that included renovations to all three floors.
Principal Rosie Marifke said everyone was happy to be “back home.” Students attended class in the Sunday School classrooms at Grace Lutheran Church, Oconto Falls, after the fire, then portable units on the Jefferson School site on Sherman Street for the 2012-13 school year.
8. Gillett school changes leadership
Two top administrators of the Shawano School District were hired in Gillett at the start of the 2013-14 school year. Gillett native Todd Carlson, Shawano superintendent for the past six years, and Steve Linssen, associate principal of Shawano Community High School, joined the staff.
Carlson was hired as superintendent to replace Kyle Ransom, who resigned in June. Linssen was hired as secondary school principal to replace Jeremy Pach, who resigned in August.
9. St. Anthony’s celebrates 100 years
St. Anthony School marked 100 years in Catholic education Oct. 5 with an anniversary Mass, followed by a dinner and dance. The theme for the centennial was Honor the Past, Celebrate the Future.
The original school was built in 1913 on Franklin Street, and Franciscan sisters were the first teachers for students in grades 1-8. The sisters taught at the school until 1987, when lay teachers were hired. The school changed to grades 1-6 in 1968, 1-5 in 1994 and kindergarten-grade 5 in 2006.
10. Gillett opens campground
Nicolet Trail Campground opened in August in Gillett. The 20-site campground is located on Washington Street, across the street from the Oconto County Fairgrounds at Zippel Park.
Gillett’s Community Development Authority developed the campground for ATV enthusiasts and others who use the Nicolet State Trail. The campground is built for self-contained campers, not tents, and sites can accommodate ATV trailers.
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