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Jan 29, 2024

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Der letztjährige biografische Film, in dem die Medal of Honor-Gewinner Tom Hudner und Jesse Brown die Hauptrolle spielen, ist der Anführer des diesjährigen beeindruckenden Programms an Luftfahrtfilmen im Fly-In Theatre während des EAA AirVenture

Last year’s biographical film highlighting Medal of Honor recipient Tom Hudner and Jesse Brown leads this year’s impressive schedule of aviation movies at the Fly-In Theater during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023. The Fly-In Theater is part of the daily schedule at the 70th Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention on July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport.

For more than 15 years, the Fly-In Theater has been a tradition for AirVenture attendees. Located adjacent to EAA’s Camp Scholler campground, the Fly-In Theater provides the perfect opportunity to relax after a long day of air shows, exhibits, and workshops. The nightly movies are shown on a five-story high movie screen and introduced by personalities ranging from aviation legends to Hollywood superstars. The Fly-In Theater is presented by Lycoming and supported by Southwest Airlines.

The Fly-In Theater films, which are included with AirVenture daily and weekly admission, are shown nightly from Saturday, July 22, through Saturday, July 29 (weather permitting), beginning at 8:30 p.m. For many of the films, special guests connected with the film or the aircraft involved will help introduce the screening.

This year’s stellar schedule includes:

* Saturday, July 22: “Top Gun” (1986) – The all-time favorite film about naval aviation starring Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, and Val Kilmer.

* Sunday, July 23: “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022). Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, and Miles Teller update the story of Capt. Pete Mitchell as a legendary test pilot called back to train a new group of hot shots.

* Monday, July 24: “Tail Spin” (1939). Alice Faye, Constance Bennett, and Nancy Kelly star in this drama centered on three female pilots competing in the Cleveland Air Races.

* Tuesday, July 25: “The Great Waldo Pepper” (1975). A World War I veteran pilot takes up barnstorming and teams up with a fellow war veteran to perform stunts. Starring Robert Redford and Bo Svenson.

* Wednesday, July 26: “Amelia” (2009). Hilary Swank stars in this biographical film about the life of Amelia Earhart from the beginning of her aviation interest to her disappearance in 1937.

* Thursday, July 27: “Flight of the Intruder” (1991). Danny Glover, Willem Dafoe, and Brad Johnson star in a Vietnam War thriller about a pilot and navigator who execute an unauthorized strike on Hanoi.

* Friday, July 28: “Devotion” (2022). Glen Powell and Jonathan Majors star in a retelling of the bond between Tom Hudner and Jesse Brown during the Korean War.

* Saturday, July 29: “Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines” (1965). A comedy about a British newspaper publisher who organizes an air race from London to Paris to promote British aviation. Starring Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, and Terry-Thomas.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is hosting a district-wide job fair with on-the-spot interviews on Tuesday, June 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the OASD Administration Office (215 S Eagle Street, Oshkosh). Another job fair is planned for Wednesday, July 19, 2023 as the district seeks to fill various teaching and support positions for the 2023-2024 school year.

Come see what Oshkosh has to offer – for teaching staff and many other areas including, substitutes, clerical, custodial, food service, and more with full and part-time options. Job seekers will meet with HR staff, principals, supervisors, and educators to learn about current open positions with immediate start dates. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Job seekers can complete a brief Job Fair interest form to share their contact information and career interests; visit bit.ly/register-OASD-jobs.

The school district is looking to fill openings in the following areas: certified elementary, middle and high school teachers, specialist teachers, special education teachers, school counselors, substitutes, paraprofessionals/teacher assistants, special education paraprofessionals/teacher assistants, clerical, food service, custodial, maintenance, and more. Part-time and full-time positions are available with great benefits, and many positions follow the school schedule of school vacations and summers off.

“Oshkosh offers competitive salaries, exceptional benefits, valuable professional development programming, and a welcoming and engaging work environment,” said Sabrina Johnson, OASD executive director of human resources. “We invite you to come check us out and join us in making a difference in the lives of Oshkosh students and families.”

Whether you are new to the workforce, looking to work in Oshkosh, or changing careers completely – the Oshkosh Area School District is the place to be! The Oshkosh Area School District is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on available job opportunities, visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/jobs or call 920.424.0124.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Anthony Miller Jr. is being recommended to serve as the district’s first-ever director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the May 31 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending board approval, this appointment will begin on July 1, 2023.

Miller currently serves as the Scholars for Success manager at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. He joined FVTC in 2014 after serving the Appleton Area School District and Milwaukee Public Schools TEAM Up College Access Center. Miller received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an emphasis in African American Studies and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

“Anthony brings extensive experience in fostering inclusive communities and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds,” said OASD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Davis. “His authentic ability to connect with students, families, and staff will play a pivotal role in enhancing our efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive school district. We are excited to embark on this journey and look forward to the transformative impact he will have in our schools, district, and community.”

As the school district’s first-ever director of DEI, Miller will collaborate with students, parents, and staff to develop strategies that foster a culture of inclusivity, promote equitable opportunities, and celebrate the unique contributions of every member of the OASD community. He will work closely with district and school leadership teams to provide training and professional development opportunities and establish support systems that address the diverse needs of students. Additionally, Miller will build partnerships with local organizations, community leaders, and other educational institutions to enhance the district’s ability to create an environment that values diversity, challenges biases, and promotes understanding.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Miller. “I am committed to ensuring that every Oshkosh student feels seen, heard, and valued, and creating an educational environment that embraces the richness of our diverse community. I look forward to working together with students, staff, families, and the community to create a more inclusive future for all.”

The OASD conducted an extensive candidate search process that drew interest from 31 applicants, including 18 women and 13 men with diverse backgrounds and abilities. The selection process included interview teams of staff from all levels of the organization, as well as district leadership and members of the district’s DEI committee. In March 2023, the OASD Board of Education approved the school district’s 2023-2024 organizational chart, which includes the new director of DEI position.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Jacquelyn (Jackie) Kiffmeyer is being recommended to serve as the district’s director of secondary schools. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the May 31 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending board approval, this appointment will begin on July 1, 2023.

Kiffmeyer currently serves as the principal of Oshkosh North High School and has served the Oshkosh school district and community for 22 years. She began her educational career in 2001 serving one year as an at-risk teacher at Perry Tipler Middle School and ten years as a grade 7 science and health teacher. In 2012, Kiffmeyer became the dean of students at Oshkosh North High School before beginning her principal career in 2014 as the principal of Read Elementary School. In 2018, Kiffmeyer rejoined the Oshkosh North community as principal. Kiffmeyer received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from Marian University.

“Jackie’s depth of instructional knowledge and proven leadership abilities equip her with the skills needed to lead in this role,” said OASD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Davis. “Her ability to connect and collaborate, along with her understanding of the needs of our school communities will be an asset as we work to ensure that all students are college, career, and community ready.”

Kiffmeyer is a purpose-driven educational leader committed to ensuring that all students learn and grow. She has an exceptional understanding of instructional best practices and using data to guide teaching and learning. Kiffmeyer understands the importance of building relationships and developing trust, and she values collaboration and working together. In her new role, Kiffmeyer will serve as a mentor, coach, and supervisor of middle and high school principals, oversee secondary curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and oversee academic and career planning, as well as other key functions of secondary learning.

“I am humbled and honored to embark on this new opportunity,” said Kiffmeyer. “I have loved my time at North and I am excited to continue my work in the district leading our middle and high school principals and staff in service to our students, families, and community.”

The OASD conducted an extensive interview process that included interview teams of staff from all levels of the organization, as well as district leadership. In March 2023, the OASD Board of Education approved the school district’s 2023-2024 organizational chart, which includes the director of secondary schools position. The position replaces the district’s director of curriculum and assessment position, currently held by Julie Conrad who was appointed to serve as the district’s new assistant superintendent of Operations, effective July 1, 2023.

Over the past two months Oshkosh North Communities students and Verve, a Credit Union joined forces to teach students valuable financial tips. Over this period, three “Let’s Talk Money” sessions were hosted by the Cooperative Outreach Specialists of Verve, Mitchell Michiels and Shannon Dobberstein. Each session involved food, games, prizes, and of course financial tips that students can take into their futures.

The first session was all about saving and the things that you can do to save money. The students in attendance took part in a Kahoot where they had to guess how much money they could save by cutting certain things out of their daily life like packing a lunch rather than going out for lunch. After the game, Michiels led the students through a discussion about doing simple things like cutting streaming services and reviewing your phone bill to save money. In the end, it was determined that the average student might be able to save around $4,000 a year just by making simple adjustments to their lifestyles. The second session consisted of tips to buy your first car successfully and the steps you need to take in order to do that. At the third and final session the students learned about fraud and scams and how to avoid falling victim to those things.

Mitchell and Shannon have been partnering with the Communities program for 10 years. The program continues to value Verve’s support and looks forward to partnering with them in the years to come.

Forty-three students graduated on May 25th from the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. The ceremony was held at The Waters. During the program, participants served as adjunct members on 31 different boards and committees throughout the community as well as leading a community fundraiser raising $32,596.60 to benefit Winnebago Literacy Council and the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Leadership Oshkosh Program.

The program was started in 1989 by the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, initiated by Ed Williams, to help people grow and develop into community leaders. This year marks the 34th program year. 1,191 people have graduated from the Leadership Oshkosh program.

Each year, Leadership Oshkosh recognizes two people during the graduation ceremony. Joe Ferlo, President & CEO, The Grand Oshkosh received the Leadership Service award for his guidance on the program’s Arts & Culture Day. Ferlo has been an ongoing champion for not only the Leadership Oshkosh program, but also the city of Oshkosh. The Ed Williams Leadership in Action award was given to Jessica Meidl, Downtown BID Manager. Since Jessie graduated from Leadership Oshkosh, she has been inspired to increase the beautification efforts and public art downtown. She has been instrumental in getting at least one large-scale mural installed every year since 2021 and two brand new murals are being installed right now. Additionally, she was part of a team that wrapped utility boxes, working with the city to change ordinances to allow business owners to put flowerpots and other things that increase curb appeal outside their storefronts.

Richard (Rick) Leib has been selected to serve as the next Oshkosh North High School head girls basketball coach. Leib will lead the Spartan girls basketball program beginning in the winter 2023 season.

Leib has over 30 years of coaching experience at Oshkosh North. He previously led the Oshkosh North boys basketball freshman and junior varsity teams for 24 seasons. Leib also served the last five seasons as the assistant coach of the Oshkosh North girls basketball varsity team.

“We are excited to see Coach Leib lead our Spartans girls basketball program,” said Craig Lieder, Oshkosh North High School activities coordinator. “His passion for the game and commitment to developing the program through youth outreach and offseason camps will be a valuable asset.”

In addition to his on-the-court expertise, Leib has taught at Oshkosh North for 30 years. He is deeply connected to the school community and understands the importance of developing relationships and providing opportunities for students to grow in and out of the classroom. Leib values the role of extracurricular involvement in helping students develop mental toughness and an appreciation for teamwork.

“I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to serve the girls basketball program,” said Leib. “ I’m excited to see us develop with each player knowing that if we put in the work we are worthy of competing at the highest level and capable of winning every game.”

As part of his leadership, Leib is focused on growing the northside youth basketball program. For several years, he has organized and hosted spring, summer, and fall camps for elementary and middle school students. The camps focus on fundamentals and create an environment where learning the game is fun, challenging, and rewarding.

Registration is currently open for the Summer Girls Basketball Camp, happening June 12 through June 27 and open to first-grade through ninth-grade students. Pre-registration is appreciated and more information is available online at https://www.oshkoshnorthgirlsbasketball.com/program/camps/.

Leib was recommended by an interview committee, and will replace former head girls coach Jayme Engen. Leib graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He also holds a master’s degree from UWO in Educational Leadership.Oshkosh North High School is committed to creating a culture of learning that supports student success and achievement, as well as a welcoming atmosphere for all students and staff. The school offers many different co-curricular opportunities for students ranging from Division 1 athletics to fine arts, to interest- and curriculum-based clubs. For more information visit oshkosh-north-high.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Erin Kohl is being recommended to serve as the district’s newest director of elementary schools. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the May 31 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending board approval, this appointment will begin on July 1, 2023.

Kohl currently serves as the principal of Oshkosh West High School and has served the Oshkosh school district and community for nearly 30 years. She began her educational career as an elementary teacher at Webster Stanley Elementary and Sunset Elementary before serving at Carl Traeger Elementary for 10 years. In 2007 she became the principal of Lincoln Elementary, later leading Washington Elementary from 2009-2013. In 2013, Kohl was selected to serve as the principal of Oshkosh West High School where she has had an incredible impact. Kohl received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, and she received her Educational Administration Licensure from UW-Madison.

“Erin exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional educator and educational leader,” said OASD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Davis. “Her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence have been instrumental in fostering a positive learning environment and driving academic success. Her experience and deep understanding of elementary education will be an asset as we strive to transform our district and best support the needs of our youngest learners.”

Kohl is known as a visionary leader who demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and a deep passion for education. Her unique combination of skills and qualities allows her to effectively guide and inspire staff, support the diverse needs of all learners, and create an environment where everyone is motivated to excel. Kohl has an exceptional understanding of early education and the importance of curricular and instructional accountability to ensure the growth and success of all students. In her new role, Kohl will serve alongside Dr. Kim Brown in supporting OASD elementary school leaders, overseeing elementary curriculum, instruction, and assessment, overseeing the OASD’s K-12 eAcademy program, and other key functions of elementary learning.

“I am excited to bring my skills and experience to this position to contribute to the success of our youngest learners and skilled staff,” said Kohl. “It has truly been an honor to lead the Oshkosh West School community, and now I am excited to return to my elementary school roots to continue to impact the lives of our students. I look forward to working alongside our talented elementary leaders to support and build their capacity, while also guiding the work of our district.”

The OASD conducted an extensive interview process that included interview teams of staff from all levels of the organization, as well as district leadership. In March 2023, the OASD Board of Education approved the school district’s 2023-2024 organizational chart, which includes the director of elementary schools position. The new position replaces the current principal on assignment position.

The Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office has determined that the officer’s use of force was justified during the officer involved shooting that took place on March 17, 2023.

On March 16, 2023 officers from the Oshkosh Police Department were investigating a threats complaint involving a homeless female victim who was currently working at an assisted living facility as a temporary CNA in the City of Oshkosh. The complaint involved a male suspect who had taken the victim’s money, car and phone. He had also struck her and threatened her with further violence. This suspect had recently been released from prison and was on parole.

It was later determined that he was also wanted on a probation warrant through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The victim stated she felt frightened and trapped. The victim was afraid of this individual and afraid to talk to the police in person for fear that the suspect would harm her. She had spoken with her coworkers and one of them contacted OPD on her behalf. Officers spoke with the victim over the phone to gain additional information. She advised that she thought her vehicle and the suspect would be at the bars on N Main Street. Officers located the unoccupied vehicle, parked in a parking lot in the 500 Block of N Main Street. There were other vehicles parked in the parking lot including vehicles parked in each stall on both sides of the victim’s car. There were also cars parked along the west side of the 500 Block of N Main Street.

Officers conducted surveillance on the vehicle and at approximately 1:30 AM, the suspect was seen returning to the vehicle. One officer positioned their marked squad car directly behind the victim’s vehicle to prevent it from leaving. The suspect was seated in the driver’s seat as the two officers approached the driver on each side of the vehicle. Both uniformed officers knocked on the car windows, attempting to make contact with the suspect. The suspect looked at the officer on the passenger side, then put the vehicle in reverse narrowly missing the second officer then backed into the marked patrol squad which was parked behind his vehicle.

At this time, within seconds, the second officer was directly in front of the vehicle with no area of cover or other escape routes they could have maneuvered to. The suspect had his headlights on with the officer being in the driver’s expected field of vision. The officer observed the suspect looking at her and saw the suspect shift the vehicle into drive and accelerate the vehicle directly at her. Based on her proximity to the vehicle and the driver’s actions, the officer was afraid for her life.

She discharged her service weapon and fired 2 rounds. The suspect was struck by one round, injuring him. The suspect then struck a concrete light pole base and a parked vehicle, ultimately coming to a final resting position. Officers helped remove him from the vehicle and began rendering medical treatment.

The Oshkosh Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was treated for his wound. Later, the suspect was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for an outstanding warrant for a parole violation. He is currently in the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility in Milwaukee, awaiting a parole violation hearing.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations conducted a thorough and complete investigation by identifying all relevant evidence to determine the facts of the case. Once they completed their investigation, they submitted their report to the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office who reviewed the investigation and evidence involved.

After review, the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office found that the suspect presented a significant risk to the life and safety of the officer at the time of the shooting and that the evidence was clear that the suspect drove the car towards the officer. This act reasonably put the officer in fear of imminent death or great bodily harm and her use of force was justified.

The District Attorney’s Office is still reviewing the evidence regarding pending criminal charges against the suspect. Any further information related to charges, should be referred to the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office. Due to victim rights obligations, the name of the officer involved is not beingreleased at this time. As with all cases where there are potential criminal charges, we are not releasing the suspects name at this time.

Oshkosh GO Transit bus service will not be operating on Monday, May 29, 2023, due to the city’s observance of the Memorial Day holiday. GO Transit’s office at 926 Dempsey Trail will also be closed.

Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

For more information on GO Transit, please visit www.rideGOtransit.com or call (920) 232-5340.

The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the City’s observance of Memorial Day, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, June 2 moves to Saturday, June 3. Regular services will resume on Monday, June 5.

Additionally, the City’s yard waste drop-off center located on W. 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) will be closed for the holiday on Monday, May 29. The drop-off center will reopen on Tuesday, May 30.

Residential curbside brush collection for June will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the week of June 5 through June 9.

If you would like more information please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Dr. Samuel (Sam) Coleman is being recommended to serve as the district’s assistant superintendent of instruction. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the May 31 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending board approval, this appointment will begin on July 1, 2023.

Coleman currently serves as the chief academic officer for Lynchburg City Schools in Lynchburg, Virginia. Over the last 16 years, Coleman has served in public education and in both state and municipal government. Coleman began his educational career in 2007 as a Social Studies teacher in Milwaukee. In 2015, Coleman became the dean of students at the Daniel Webster High School campus in Milwaukee, and later served as the director of student and family services at Seton Catholic Schools in St. Francis, before joining the Shorewood School District in 2019. In Shorewood, Coleman served as the director for equity before advancing to serve as the director of curriculum and instruction. Coleman received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University, a Master’s in Education Counseling from Concordia University, a Master’s in Education Curriculum and Instruction – Reading and Literacy from Louisiana State University Shreveport, a Master’s in Education Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin Madison.

“Sam has committed his life’s work to improving the educational and social outcomes for all students and he is a fierce advocate for equity,” said OASD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Davis. “He is a skilled organizational leader with a deep understanding of what students and educators need to be successful. His demonstrated ability to implement district-wide instructional strategies, along with his forward-thinking approach to continuous improvement will be a tremendous asset to our students, staff, schools, district, and entire community.”

Coleman’s lived, educational, and professional experiences have equipped him with the confidence and skills to effectively lead teams through organizational transformation and innovation. He is an impact-driven, collaborative, and visionary leader. His areas of expertise include building organizational capacity, implementing teaching and learning strategies, leveraging resources, policy development, strategic planning, and equity.

“My life’s work is grounded in providing effective and strategic organizational leadership in support of all learners, building educator capacity, and supporting systems development so that teaching and learning is fun, effective, and meaningful,” said Coleman. “More importantly, I believe to my core that all learners deserve the very best and I’m committed to the success of all.”

The OASD conducted an extensive interview process that included interview teams of staff from all levels of the organization, as well as district leadership. In March 2023, the OASD Board of Education approved the school district’s 2023-2024 organizational chart, which includes the assistant superintendent of instruction position. The new position replaces the executive director of administration position, currently held by Dr. Andy Jones who announced his June 30 retirement from public education earlier this year.

Rep. Palmeri released the following statement regarding yesterday’s floor session on Assembly Bill 245.

“The much hoped for shared revenue bill (AB 245) did not have to be rushed. After years of stagnant funding for local governments, we have the opportunity to use a historic surplus to invest back into ourcommunities and fix the broken shared revenue formula. In the eleventh hour, we received a 21 pageamendment to vote on. However, the bill was not ready or acceptable. The many restrictions andrequirements would have cost taxpayers and sold off local control. It was like a shiny red apple withworms inside.

“Compromises in a subsequent amendment were offered, and I was prepared to vote for those. Thesewould have brought a more equitable rate for all municipalities, including medium sized cities such asOshkosh while preserving some local control.

“Local governments know their communities best. We should be empowering them to allocate fundingand make decisions that will best serve their community. This bill, as it stands, lumps communitiestogether based on arbitrary population size, without regard for the countless variables that make eachcommunity unique.

“The fact that we are having this conversation is a step forward, but we need to ensure we do right by the people of Wisconsin in the process, without including policy that pushes a political narrative onto local governments.

“This bill moves on to the Senate where I hope we can continue negotiating to give all our communitiesthe resources they need to thrive.”

The NAMI 5k was a perfect combination of all three of NAMI’s main goals. NAMI strives to create “a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares”. To achieve this goal they educate, advocate, support and much more. At the event education was provided through pamphlets and guest speakers. Support was shown with teams partnering together to remember lost loved ones. Lastly, advocacy was shown through the event itself. Besides the remembrance of those lost to mental illness, the event also spreads the word about mental health and all proceeds from the event go towards providing no-cost resources and support to people in need.

Communities students in a group focused on healthy living solutions worked persistently along side NAMI to find sponsors and donors, to get the word out about the event in not only our own community but others through the usage of social media, and to host a smooth event. After many emails, phone calls, and meetings it was an amazing turn out.

Credit for such an amazing event can not be taken solely by our Communities students though. Such a smooth event would not have been possible without our donors, volunteers and performers; Jimmy Johns, Insomnia Cookies, Brewing Futures, Lori Palmarie, Oshkosh North Choir, and more.

The Oshkosh North High School marching band is excited to debut its new uniforms at the 2023 Oshkosh Memorial Day Procession. Getting the new uniforms has been a priority for North’s band director, Gloria Dorschner-Mackie, since she joined the Spartan teaching staff in 2020.

“The typical lifespan for band uniforms is 15 years. Our previous uniforms were over 30 years old, heavy, and required extensive hemming and sewing in order to fit students each year,” said Dorschner-Mackie. “As our program continues to grow these new uniforms bring a new contemporary look to the Spartan marching band, setting us apart from other programs and fostering a sense of school pride at North and in our community.”

The new uniforms feature a modern design that includes a jumpsuit, jacket, and side-drape cape. They are made out of comfortable and flexible material, and include a built-in length alteration system that eliminates sewing needs. The new uniforms also incorporate Oshkosh North’s current school colors.

Donning the new uniforms signals the end of a successful $75,000 fundraising campaign that began in 2022. The band program was able to purchase 150 new uniforms to support its growing program with financial support from the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD), Oshkosh North, and the OASD Education Foundation, as well as private donors and fundraising activities. Additionally, a fund was created at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation to support the effort and expand its reach.

Program and school leaders also extend their sincere thanks to the band students and band parents for their help in fundraising. “It is an exciting time for the Spartan marching band and we want to do our best to represent Oshkosh North and make our community proud,” said Dorschner-Mackie.

The Oshkosh North band program will be selling a small number of the old band uniforms – those that have withstood the 30 years of use. Proceeds will be used to support the band’s ongoing department needs. To learn more about the uniform sale, contact Gloria Dorschner-Mackie, Oshkosh North High School band director, at [email protected] or 920.424.7000 x2466.

Since the beginning of the school semester, 9 students have been joining Parkview Health Center in Tuesday activities. These activities have involved artistic crafts, numerous board games, and quality conversations. The activities are a wonderful way to familiarize the students with interest that the residents have, and to form deeper personal connections. When interacting with the residents, these individuals strived to make a memorable impact for each individual.

Parkview Health Center is a nursing home that is county owned by Winnebago County. It offers numerous programs for the community such as CNA Training, Hospitality Aids, and multiple opportunities for volunteers. While Parkview Health Center is called “home” to nearly 200 residents, the staff members serve quality health care to the residents at every needed moment.

While the students focused on the Activities Department with the director, she shared all the opportunities the residents looked forward to.The residents have the opportunity for strolling through the parks, enjoying the accessible patio to the sun, and even accommodating bike rides. These experiences were not only rewarding for the residents, but the students as well. “The most cherishing moment for me was when a resident told me they looked forward to the activities but seeing us students more” according to Allycia Tlatelpa, one of the participating students.

Parkview Health Center is looking for volunteers who are wanting to make unforgettable memories with the residents. They offer opportunities over the summer like tandem biking, helping transport the residents for trips to the garden, and participating in games. If you find yourself interested in this experience, please contact Missy Grundman, [email protected].

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is hosting a district-wide job fair with on-the-spot interviews on Tuesday, May 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the OASD Administration Office (215 S Eagle Street, Oshkosh).

Come see what Oshkosh has to offer – for teaching staff and many other areas including, substitutes, clerical, custodial, food service, and more with full and part-time options. Job seekers will meet with HR staff, principals, supervisors, and educators to learn about current open positions with immediate start dates. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Job seekers can complete a brief Job Fair interest form to share their contact information and career interests; visit bit.ly/register-OASD-jobs.

The school district is looking to fill openings in the following areas: certified elementary, middle and high school teachers, specialist teachers, special education teachers, school counselors, substitutes, paraprofessionals/teacher assistants, special education paraprofessionals/teacher assistants, clerical, food service, custodial, maintenance, and more. Part-time and full-time positions are available with great benefits, and many positions follow the school schedule of school vacations and summers off.

“Oshkosh offers competitive salaries, exceptional benefits, valuable professional development programming, and a welcoming and engaging work environment,” said Sabrina Johnson, OASD executive director of human resources. “We invite you to come check us out and join us in making a difference in the lives of Oshkosh students and families.”

Whether you are new to the workforce, looking to work in Oshkosh, or changing careers completely – the Oshkosh Area School District is the place to be! The Oshkosh Area School District is an equal opportunity employer. For more information on available job opportunities, visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/jobs or call 920.424.0124.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Thurs., June 1Summer Reading Challenge begins, preschool to adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Fri., June 2Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-11

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 5 p.m., kids of all ages

Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6-8

Young Adult Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 9-12

Sat., June 3LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 am. – noon, kids of all ages

Stay and Play Saturdays: Elephant & Piggie Party, 10 a.m. – noonMon., June 5Book Buzz: Someone Else’s Shoes, 8 a.m., YouTube

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Animanga Club, 3 p.m., grades 6-12

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Tues., June 6

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Wed., June 7High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., June 8High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Comic Book Storytelling & Sequencing, 10 a.m. – noon, all ages

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Wonderlab: Edible Science, 6:30 p.m., ages 5-8

Fri., June 9

Tween S.T.E.A.M.: The Science of Heat, 10:30 a.m., ages 9-12

The V3NTO Brass Trio, 1 p.m., all ages

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 5 p.m., kids of all ages

Elementary Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 5-8

Sat., June 10

LEGO Derby sponsored by Oshkosh Corporation, 9 a.m., Oshkosh Corporation Global Headquarters, ages 5-17

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 am. – noon, kids of all ages

Stay and Play Saturdays: CD Case Creations, 10 a.m. – noonKaydenn String Quartet, 3 p.m., all ages

Mon., June 12 Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Animanga Club, 3 p.m., grades 6-12

Tues., June 13

Smarts Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1-4

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Banned Book Club at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., adults

Adult DIY: Stamped Tote Bag, 6 p.m., adults

Wed., June 14High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., June 15High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., June 16LEGO Wall Open Build, 3– 5 p.m., kids of all ages

Sat., June 17

Stay and Play Saturday: Indoor Bookwalk, 10 a.m. – noon

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 am. – noon, kids of all ages

Mon., June 19

Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolersLEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Animanga Club, 3 p.m., grades 6-12

Tues., June 20Comic Panel Drawing, 2 – 4 p.m., all ages

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adults

Wed., June 21High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., June 22High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Wonderlab: Edible Science, 6:30 p.m., ages 5-8

Fri., June 23

Jazz Hip Hop Dance, 10 a.m., ages 9-12

Jazz Hip Hop Dance, 10:30 a.m., ages 5-8

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3– 5 p.m., kids of all ages

Tween S.T.E.A.M.: Science of Heat, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-12

Sat., June 24

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 am. – noon, kids of all ages

Stay and Play Saturday: Say Hello to Summer, 10 a.m. to noon

Mon., June 26Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolersLEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Animanga Club, 3 p.m., grades 6-12

Tues., June 27Crafternoon, 2 – 4 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 3 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Wed., June 28High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Introduction to Engineering, Electronics & Coding using Arduino, 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., grades 5-12

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., June 29Introduction to Engineering, Electronics & Coding using Arduino (educator workshop), 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., ages 1-4

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Fri., June 30

Jazz Hip Hop Dance, 10 a.m., ages 9-12

Jazz Hip Hop Dance, 10:30 a.m., ages 5-8

LEGO Wall Open Build, 3– 5 p.m., kids of all ages

The many facets of aviation used for the public benefit will be highlighted as part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, which takes place July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. This year’s event marks the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 70th fly-in convention, as the event traditionally draws visitors from more than 80 nations.

While elements of public benefit flying will be shown throughout AirVenture week, the primary focus will be on Saturday, July 29. That day, a variety of aircraft relating to the theme will be on display on the showcase Boeing Plaza, with additional aircraft participating in that day’s afternoon air show.

“Public benefit flying has a beneficial effect on people’s everyday lives, even if they don’t realize it,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “From flying cancer patients to treatment and air ambulance operations to water rescues and even saving threatened animals, aviation has a long, notable history of being used for the public good – often by people who volunteer their time and aircraft to make it happen.”

The Air Care Alliance is assisting with the organization of the salute to public benefit flying. On July 29, airplanes on Boeing Plaza will include those representing the Alliance, as well Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, Wisconsin Air National Guard, JAARS, ThedaCare, Buffalo Airways, and FedEx. All these display aircraft have been used in humanitarian or public benefit missions. The Air Care Alliance will make a special award presentation prior to that day’s afternoon air show.

In addition, the JAARS Pilatus aircraft will be used each day to deliver the skydivers and American flag that open AirVenture’s afternoon air show. Forums and presentations highlighting the work of public benefit flying will also be part of the weeklong forum schedule, with a special emphasis on July 29 forums.

Planet Perk Coffee Houses has announced the addition of a 3,000 square foot co-working space and student study hall due to open in July. One of the unique aspects of the space is that it will be called the Planet Purrrk Club, since it will have 9 to 15 on-site adoptable cats from the Oshkosh Area Humane Society. The collaboration between the Oshkosh Area Humane Society and Planet Perk Coffee Houses will be the first of its kind in the state. The Planet Purrrk Club will follow all of the policies, procedures and best practices of the Oshkosh Area Humane Society.

“This will truly raise the visibility of the Oshkosh Area Humane Society and increase cat adoptions, while providing a calming and productive office experience for our Planet Purrrk Club members,” said Ken Osmond, Owner and CEO of Planet Perk Coffee Houses.

A Lively Space

The Planet Purrrk Club will consist of 5 private offices, 2 conference rooms and a cat lounge that will also serve as a large community room adjacent to the already existing Planet Perk at City Center location. The club is structured so that it can serve multiple target audiences such as entrepreneurial members, cat lovers, students, and the general public. Of course, there are also the cats. Members will have access to the private offices, conference rooms, printer, copier, fax, and other office amenities. College and high school students can utilize the Cat Lounge as a study hall from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday. The general public can also get hourly and daily passes for “kitty visits” in the Cat Lounge. Space is also available for groups to utilize conference rooms for 6 to 10 people, or the main room for 25 to 45 people.

In addition, evening programming such as game nights, book clubs, kitty yoga classes and other events will be held 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm Monday through Saturday. Private group bookings are also available.

“Most co-working spaces are lifeless places; having the cats here to interact with will be something very different and it will also help the college students ease some of the stress from being away from home and their own pets,” said River Rolfes, Cafe Location Manager at Planet Perk. “I can’t wait to see how this impacts our own workdays here at Planet Perk.”

Planet Perk at City Center and The Planet Purrrk Club andare entirely separate spaces with their own entrances, air handling systems, and restrooms. While no food or beverage will be prepared in the club, guests can take their beverages into the space. For the protection and safety of the cats no food will be allowed in the space. Day to day operations of the café will not change.

Planet Perk at City Center and The Planet Purrrk Club and Planet Perk Coffee Houses are both registered trademarks Of Planet Perk Coffee Houses in the United States and/or other countries. Planet Perk Coffee Houses is a family owned company founded in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Here are three photos of the suspect vehicle in last month’s hit and run on Packer Avenue. If you have information about the vehicle or the owner of the vehicle, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.

Recently featured in Our Wisconsin Magazine, Becket’s Restaurant Oshkosh, for the third time, will host one of WI Distinguished Gentleman’s Rides (DGR). DGR is a global motorcycle ride to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues. Since 2012, 340000 riders in 121 countries have helped to raise $37.5M for the Movember Organization funding prostate cancer research and mental health issues.

Men (and Ladies) dress in their Sunday best and don motorcycles of all shapes and sizes for a leisurely ride through their city to raise awareness for these important issues.

The first ride hosted in Oshkosh was 2021. Currently the most registrants in the state are planning to ride in the Oshkosh ride, 80+ folks expected this year.

More info on DGR and FREE registration for Oshkosh ride is here:https://www.gentlemansride.com

AirVenture attendees and residents of the Fox Valley can get a taste of EAA’s 70th anniversary as the organization partners with Stone Arch Brew Pub of Appleton, Wisconsin to produce a special commemorative beer.

The Kölsch beer will be available in select Fox Valley grocery stores beginning July 1, and sold at camp stores on the grounds during AirVenture 2023, July 24-30. The beer cans will feature one of seven unique labels, one released each day of AirVenture, each representing a part of EAA’s history. Only one design will be available in grocery stores, but all seven can be purchased on the AirVenture grounds.

“In 2019, EAA offered a specialty beer to commemorate 50 years in Oshkosh, and it was an instant hit with our members and attendees,” said Chris Farrell, EAA’s Director of Events, and Food & Beverage. “They asked if we could repeat this for EAA’s 70th anniversary. It gives us the opportunity to highlight EAA’s legacy.”

The specific beer was chosen in part by attendees of the Flight at the Museum event in March, and an EAA staff tasting.

Kölsch beer classifies as a “Pale Bitter European Beer,” and originates from Germany. This specific Kölsch beer is described as having a “very clean, slightly grainy malt, low bitterness, light hop flavor.”

More information about the beer is available at EAA.org/Cans.

The city of Oshkosh is conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey for all residents. The survey was designed to provide a baseline of how the city government is serving residents, to gauge perceptions of the city of Oshkosh, and to make comparisons with peer cities. Residents are invited to complete the survey online by visiting https://polco.us/oshkosh23op. Some residents have already received the survey by mail as part of a sample group. The survey is open to all residents beginning today, May 5th, through Friday, May 19th.

City staff have been working with independent consultant, the National Research Center at Polco, to develop the survey. The survey, known as the National Community Survey (NCS), allows the city of Oshkosh to benchmark residents’ opinions against other similar communities. The survey includes questions about quality of life in the community, local policies, demographics, ratings of local government services and resident use of services. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Survey responses are confidential and no identifying information will be shared.

The NCS is a scientific survey format used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states. Oshkosh has been conducting citizen surveys annually since 2009, and 2023 marks the second year that Oshkosh has utilized the NCS format. Survey results are expected in mid-June and will be used to inform and identify priorities for future planning and how best to allocate resources. Survey results will be made available via the city of Oshkosh website. Residents with questions about the survey may contact the City Manager’s office by phone at (920) 236-5002 or by email at [email protected].

Greetings Tour is coming to Oshkosh, WI! The traveling artist duo, Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs along with a team of local artists will be installing a mural on the south side of the Roxy located at 571 N Main Street beginning May 18. The husband-and-wife team have traveled all over the world installing their postcard style murals that create timeless landmarks through public art. They have completed over 60 murals in more than 25 states across America and Oshkosh will be the first city in Wisconsin to have a signature Greetings Tour mural.

The ‘Greetings from Oshkosh’ mural will incorporate important landmarks, cultural references, history, nature and local artist collaborations that are unique and specific to the Oshkosh area. The mural also features the work of indigenous artist, Cainen Shooter, who was commissioned to create one of the letters on the mural.

You can see the progress of the project and the artists at work Thursday, May 25 during the Oshkosh Into the Night event which will feature live art, performances, music and fun for all ages. Oshkosh Into the Night is Thursday, May 25 from 5-9 pm throughout the Downtown Oshkosh Business Improvement District.

This project is made possible by the Downtown Oshkosh Business Improvement District in partnership with the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau. Other sponsors include the Hoopman Foundation, The Roxy Supper Club, the Oshkosh Public Library Foundation, Fletch’s Local Tap House, The Doe House, Davis Painting and the Elmer Family in honor of Dennis Elmer.

A new Youth Welcome Center that serves as the guidepost for all activities aimed at young people is the latest addition for the expanding list of youth activities at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023. The 70th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

“Nearly all of us involved in aviation today were inspired at some point in our younger years,” said Paul Maloy, EAA’s director of education. “When we began welcoming those 18-and-under at no charge beginning in 2021, we immediately noticed an increase in the number of families at AirVenture. With that, we wanted to create a way to help them find all the available activities on grounds suitable for various age groups.”

The Youth Welcome Center, located at the busy Four Corners intersection just west of Boeing Plaza, will be the headquarters for sharing youth-oriented activities for all ages on the grounds, as well as important information for families ranging from restrooms and shade to ATMs and changing/nursing stations. In addition, several activities at the Center include an F-100 Super Sabre cockpit photo op, RC Plane spotter activity, and a place to mark a visitor’s hometown. The Center will also have information on EAA’s many year-round youth education programs.

Other family-friendly locations on the AirVenture grounds include:

KidVenture – Located at the EAA Aviation Museum’s Pioneer Airport, this area allows young people to explore aviation from several different fronts. Learn how to fly a radio-controlled airplane, experience flight simulators, and learn aviation history. Highlights include A&P booths where kids learn basic building skills, a simulated B-25 flight experience, and life-size replicas of the Mercury 7 and Gemini 7 space capsules.

AeroEducate Center – Located at the south entrance to Aviation Gateway Park just northwest of the FAA Control Tower, the AeroEducate Center features activities for middle- and high-school youth. Along with EAA AeroEducate hands-on projects, there are NASA-supported activities, challenges from AeroEducate partners Airbus, United Airlines, and Siemens Technology, plus presentations on opportunities available in aviation and aerospace.

Flight simulators – Flight simulators and other activities are available in both the Warbirds of America and Vintage Aircraft Association areas on the grounds.

In addition, numerous AirVenture exhibitors feature unique youth-focused displays and activities for young people at their locations. Free youth admission is sponsored by The Boeing Company.

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated a message that has been circulating on a social media site.Earlier this morning at approximately 6:30 AM, Officers from the Oshkosh Police Department became aware of a message that was circulating on social media. The message made threats towards schools but was not specific as to which city the schools were located in.

Shortly after being notified of this message, the Oshkosh Police Department became aware that several police departments around the country had received tips on the same message. As a precautionary measure, there was an increased police presence at several Oshkosh Area schools. The social media message was reported to other school districts in other states.

At this time, we believe that there are no threats to our schools. We encourage people not to share/ repost these types of posts but instead to contact law enforcement if they see a threat on social media. We take threatening posts very seriously and the safety of our children and staff is of our outmost importance in our law enforcement efforts.

Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) held its annual Day of Caring, one of the largest organized volunteer events in the area, on Wednesday, May 3. More than 170 volunteers from over 24 businesses and organizations performed 26 community service projects at 19 organizations during United Way’s 26th Annual Day of Caring.

The day opened with breakfast at the Best Western Convention Center at 8 a.m. and a short program at 8:30 a.m. where Jill Grambow, Volunteer Outreach & Engagement for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinators Association Board Member, Scott Rice, IT Business Analyst, Hoffmaster Group, Ryan Rasmussen, Executive Director, Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, and Houa Xiong, Dean of Students at UW-Oshkosh and Oshkosh Area United Way Board Member welcomed

Volunteers.

In Oshkosh and the surrounding area, participants contributed $16,218 in volunteer hours Wednesday morning. Some Day of Caring projects included:

“The United Way invites community members to donate their time for a day of caring across Southern Winnebago County. The Day of Caring is a great way for volunteers to connect with organizations in our area to give back. The time and resources given in just a few short hours can make a significant impact on the community. We hope this positive experience inspires people to get involved year-round,” says Amy Reese, Oshkosh Area United Way’s Marketing Manager.

Day of Caring is a community-wide service day with hundreds of volunteers working on projects hosted by organizations throughout the Oshkosh area. Area residents, students, families, and employees volunteer and spend a half-day giving back to local nonprofit agencies and organizations that are doing so much to better the lives of our friends and neighbors in the community.

Ascension Wisconsin is increasing access to comprehensive, advanced heart care services in the Fox Valley by expanding its relationship with Heart and Vascular Institute of Wisconsin (HVI). Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin has entered into an expanded professional services agreement (PSA) with HVI. This collaboration means patients will have additional access to more clinicians, with added convenience by increasing the number of AMG WI locations that will provide a full-range of cardiology and electrophysiology services.

“We are excited about our cardiovascular program’s growth in terms of geography, scope and complexity and are confident that the expansion of heart care services is in the best interest of patient care,” said Michael Bergmann, Regional President, Fox Valley, Ascension Wisconsin. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in Wisconsin for both men and women. With cardiologists and surgeons trained in the latest heart testing, treatment, chronic heart conditions and medication management, and procedures, almost all patients’ heart care needs will be met at an Ascension Wisconsin facility, close to home.

The collaboration between HVI and Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin began in 2021 by providing cardiology and electrophysiology services, such as minimally invasive structural heart procedures, imaging, coronary and peripheral intervention, pacemakers, ablations and more. “We are confident this expanded collaboration is best for patients as we bring a full spectrum of cardiovascular services from disease prevention to acute care to patients at Ascension Wisconsin,” said Larry Sobal, Chief Executive Officer, Heart and Vascular Institute of Wisconsin.

HVI is an established, well-respected cardiovascular practice with a long tradition of clinical expertise and quality patient outcomes. Founded in 1968, HVI is an independent, physician-led organization that provides comprehensive cardiovascular care across Northeast Wisconsin.

“Together, our two organizations share a vision of a comprehensive and personalized approach to diagnosis and determining the best course of heart and vascular care for each individual patient,” said Ieva Engel, Vice President, Cardiovascular Service Line, Ascension Wisconsin. “We are thrilled to continue this strongly integrated relationship to serve our patients and our community.”

In anticipation of Nurses’ Week 2023, two local nurses and authors are joining forces to hold a special book signing event at the Public Library in Berlin, WI and Caramel Crisp in Oshkosh, WI on Saturday, May 06 from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm, respectively. This event, which aims to acknowledge the essential work of nurses and inspire even more to consider careers in the field, will feature the authors’ enlightening and empowering books, “Letters to a Future Nurse” and “Break Out From the Bedside: Gain Freedom and Flexibility by Launching Your Own Concierge Nursing Business.”

By hosting this book signing as a prelude to Nurses’ Week, the authors hope to emphasize the importance of recognizing and honoring the vital role nurses play in our society. Their goal is to inspire and encourage nurses to continue making a difference in the lives of their patients and communities – both in and out of the traditional healthcare system.

“Letters to a Future Nurse,” a collaborative work by several nurses, is being showcased by one of the authors, Amber Schuenemann, Registered Nurse of Menomonee Falls, WI. It offers invaluable advice and mentorship for aspiring nurses. Through a series of heartfelt letters, the authors share personal experiences, lessons learned, and guidance to help future nurses navigate the ever-changing landscape of the healthcare industry. Amber will also be showcasing and signing her recently published Gratitude Journal for nurses.

“Break Out From the Bedside: Gain Freedom and Flexibility by Launching Your Own Concierge Nursing Business,” authored by Quinta Caylor, Registered Nurse of Omro, WI, serves as a practical guide for nurses seeking to start their own independent concierge nursing business, providing private nursing services to those in need in their communities. This comprehensive resource covers everything from identifying what specialty to start off with, and a complete timeline for all the steps needed to create and launch an independent concierge nursing business.

The book signing event will provide attendees the opportunity to meet the authors, ask questions, and gain insights into the nursing profession and entrepreneurship. Members of the press are invited to attend and cover this inspirational event, as well as interview the authors about their work and experiences. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Quinta Caylor at [email protected] or 608.618.6248

Construction of the asphalt paving projects on South Washburn Street and Osborn Avenue is set to begin. These projects are being managed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT). The general contractor for the projects is Northeast Asphalt (NEA). NEA plans to close both South Washburn Street and Osborn Avenue to through traffic and start construction on Monday, May 8, 2023. Access will be maintained for local traffic to the businesses within the construction zone.

The limits of work on South Washburn Street are from Dickinson Avenue to West 20th Avenue. The limits of the work on Osborn Avenue are from Knapp Street to the driveway entrance of the National Guard Armory site (approximately 0.6 miles west of Knapp Street). NEA will have a field office set up near the west end of the Osborn Avenue portion of the project.

The purpose of these projects is to pulverize the existing asphalt pavement, stabilize the ground, and install new asphalt pavement. No major changes are planned for location or grade of the streets, and no utility work is planned for these projects. For South Washburn Street, a portion of the shoulder on the west side of the street will be paved, allowing for better utilization by non-motorized users of the street. The existing bike lanes on Osborn Avenue will be restored after paving is completed.

Both projects are being funded by the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) which was signed into law on November 15, 2021. Utilizing the BIL funding provides the city of Oshkosh the ability to resurface some streets that would otherwise wait several years for a reconstruction project to take place. This will improve the overall condition of streets within the city of Oshkosh, addressing an age-old concern within the community, and meeting multiple goals within the city’s Strategic Plan.

The WDOT Project Manager for these projects is Matthew Geurts from EXP engineering services. Matthew can be reached with questions regarding the projects at (920) 540-7663.

Free day passes, good at any Wisconsin state park, will be available to Oshkosh Public Library cardholders starting May 1 as part of the Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library initiative. OPL is one of 160 libraries across Wisconsin participating in the program.

To receive a state park day pass, adults must show their Oshkosh Public Library card at the service desk on the library’s first floor. Staff will assist residents who need to apply for a free library card.

The day pass provides free admission for one vehicle to any state park, forest, or recreation area where admission is required. Participants must be Wisconsin residents and are limited to one pass per month, while supplies last. Pass recipients who complete a survey about their park experience will be entered to win one of ten 2024 annual state park admission stickers, courtesy of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

“We’re excited to be able to offer our patrons this opportunity to experience Wisconsin’s state parks,” said Sandy Toland, Community Engagement Librarian. “People come to the library every day looking for a wide variety of resources, so helping them access one of our state’s premiere natural resources makes perfect sense.”

The library will also have state park lists, the spring DNR Guide, and other information about enjoying the outdoors in Wisconsin.

Check Out Wisconsin State Parks At Your Library, is a collaborative effort between the DNR, Wisconsin Library Association’s Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

For more information, please call (920) 236-5205.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Julie Conrad-Peters (Conrad) is being recommended to serve as the district’s assistant superintendent of operations. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the May 10 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending board approval, this appointment will begin on July 1, 2023.

Conrad currently serves as the OASD’s director of curriculum and assessment and has served the Oshkosh school district and community for over 30 years. She began her educational career as a science teacher at Oshkosh West High School before becoming a curriculum support specialist for the OASD. In 2007, Conrad became an assistant principal at Oshkosh West and in 2010, began leading Webster Stanley Middle School as principal before assuming her current district leadership role in 2012. Conrad received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Auburn University, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Marian University, and received her Superintendent Licensure from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

“Julie is a transformative leader whose growth mindset has positively impacted countless learners and educators,” said OASD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Davis. “Beyond her exceptional qualifications and expertise, Julie’s connectedness and deep understanding of our school district and community will provide us with the stability to strategically move forward while continuing to inspire us to do and be better for the success of our students.”

Conrad is known for her strong leadership and commitment to improving educational experiences for all students. She is a results-oriented, equity-driven educational leader. She has an innate ability to build partnerships and effective systems that enhance learning for all students. Conrad’s areas of expertise include standards-based learning, instruction and assessment, strategic planning and metrics, data-driven school improvement planning, and continuous improvement tools and processes. In her new role, Conrad will oversee strategic planning, facilities planning, enrollment, and staffing in the OASD, as well as other key functions of the district.

“I am excited to expand and strengthen the work that is taking place across our district,” said Conrad. “Over the past 30 years, I have developed trusting relationships with students, staff, families, community members, and business leaders. I look forward to deepening those relationships and developing new ones in order to strengthen our schools and community.”

The OASD conducted an extensive interview process that included interview teams of staff from all levels of the organization, as well as district leadership. In March 2023, the OASD Board of Education approved the school district’s 2023-2024 organizational chart, which includes the assistant superintendent of operations position. The new position replaces the deputy superintendent position, currently held by Dr. Dave Gundlach who announced his June 30 retirement from public education earlier this year.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) SAFECON flight competition is coming to Oshkosh for the first time on May 8-13, 2023.

SAFECON is the premier collegiate flight competition with over 500 competitors from more than 30 schools. Young pilots from across the country will compete for awards in a variety of aviation skills including: landing, navigation, preflight, flight planning, crew based simulations, safety, sportsmanship and more.

The entirety of the competition will be hosted on the EAA grounds, utilizing both the convention grounds and the museum including the new EAA Education Center. All ground, spot landing, and flying events will be based at Wittman Regional Airport except for the cross country competition, which will start in Oshkosh and briefly leavethe area. While the SAFECON activities are not organized spectator events, the event will make Wittman Regional Airport a very active place beginning with sanctioned practice activities on May 4.

“This competition brings together the nation’s top collegiate pilots to showcase their flying skills,” said Rick Larsen, EAA vice president of communities and member programs. “Many of the competitors in SAFECON are those who become the next generation of top professional pilots and flight instructors.”

Thanks to the establishment of NIFA, these competitions have made their way from being held exclusively at Ivy League schools in the ‘20s and early ‘30s, to making its first appearance the EAA grounds in Oshkosh in 2023.

Teams will arrive a few days prior to the competition, bringing economic impact to Oshkosh and the surrounding area.

The NIFA SAFECON competition is also being supported by Wittman Regional Airport, the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau, Midwest ATC, and Basler Flight Service.

Your Boat Club (YBC) is proud to announce its newest location in Wisconsin on the popular Fox River in Oshkosh. The new spot offers a fresh fleet of boats AND bikes for rental and is positioned at the heart of the city’s most popular trails in the well-known and beloved former Hergert’s Sport Center at 1232 N Sawyer Street in Oshkosh.

“We intend to keep the Hergert sign up as a reminder of the history and integrity of this business and this space,” says Luke Kujawa, Co-Founder of Your Boat Club. “With community involvement at the heart of what we do, we look forward to building relationships and filling the big shoes of the former tenant.”

The Your Boat Club location in Oshkosh will open this spring. The facility will house a boat and bike shop carrying everything from water skis and bike gear to apparel. There will be 15 slips and 6 boats to start for Your Boat Club members and rentals.

Your Boat Club PerksYBC is the largest privately-owned boat club in the world and probably the friendliest as the crew takes the time to get to know each and every member by name. YBC members enjoy the benefits of award-winning, personal service and a fleet of fishing boats, ski boats and pontoons to use at premier boating destinations in Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and France. YBC also offers a fleet of daily rental boats available to the general public. Renting from YBC means you don’t have to be a member to enjoy boating or determine if its right for you and your family.

With a membership or rental at YBC, members have access to new, fully-equipped boats, and don’t have to deal with the hassles of boat ownership which can include shipping delays, a high price tag, maintenance, storage headaches, insurance costs or that guilt ridden feeling of needing to be on the boat every waking moment to justify its cost. Don’t forget the frustrations backing up the trailer, gassing up, searching for lifejackets, etc. Sometimes owning a boat is such a hassle that by the time you get on the water, you’re too tired and cranky to enjoy the day!

For a full listing of YBC’s locations, go here.

For interview opportunities, please contact Kelly Plummer at 651-206-9852 or [email protected].

About Your Boat Club

Founded in 2010, Your Boat Club offers unlimited use boat club memberships and rental options for people who want to enjoy the boating experience without all the hassle. YBC provides more than 40,000 boat trips annually on its fleet of more than 500 boats. YBC has been widely regarded as regional champion for the boat club membership model and has grown to include unique 40 locations in Florida, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and France. Learn more about YBC including membership and rental opportunities, fleet details and locations, go to: http://www.yourboatclub.com.

About Groupe BeneteauFounded in 1884, the family-owned yard has evolved over time, from fishing vessels to leisure boating, then diversifying into new industrial sectors. Groupe Beneteau has developed unique skillsets and technical know-how. As the boating industry’s global market leader, Beneteau, through its boat division’s 11 brands, offers some 180 recreational boat models including Glastron, Four Winns, Wellcraft and Scarab that serve customers’ diverse navigational needs and uses, from sailing to motor-boating, monohulls and catamarans. With its international industrial capabilities and global sales network, Groupe Beneteau employs nearly 7,500 people, primarily in France, the US, Poland, Italy and China. Learn more at: https://www.beneteau-group.com/en/

On 04/29/2023 at approximately 9:03 PM, the Oshkosh Police Department was notified of an accident at the intersection of Algoma Blvd and W New York Ave, inthe City of Oshkosh, involving a 25 year old male riding a motorcycle and a car.

Investigation revealed that the 25 year old was riding his motorcycle on Algoma Blvd and struck a vehicle at the intersection of W New York Ave. The 25 year old male died as a result of the crash.

The driver of the vehicle is being cooperative with the investigation and the investigation is still on going. Members of the Crash Investigation Team, Criminal Investigations Division along with the Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone/UAS) Team assisted with this incident.

On Monday, April 24th, students from the Oshkosh North Communities Program hosted an event in collaboration with the Fox Valley Memory Project at the 20th St. YMCA. The Fox Valley Memory Project is a non-profit organization that collaborates with the community in order to host Dementia and Alzheimer friendly events as well as provide support groups for these individuals and their families. To learn more about the FVMP and the Memory Cafe events, you can visit https://www.foxvalleymemoryproject.org/.

The event was completely organized by the Oshkosh North Communities students from initial planning to presentation and set-up. All students involved first went through a brief Dementia training presentation in which Sarah Swant from the FVMP explained how to properly communicate with and create a calming environment for folks diagnosed with Alzheimers, which not only helped with organizing the event, but provided the students with an expanded mindset on the difficulties of this disease, and how modern communication can become a big struggle for these individuals.

The final event consisted of all participants painting flower pots together with the students and their families, then planting succulent plants for them to take home after the event. Spring themed desserts were also provided by the students enrolled in Oshkosh North Culinary classes. The event was a great success, all of the participants had a great time with not only the activities, but communicating with the students as well.

Communities is a community based learning program at Oshkosh North High School that offers students a unique way to enhance their skills in: literacy, leadership, digital citizenship, and social studies while covering all required district standards. The Communities program collaborates with businesses, organizations, and members of the community in an effort to provide an authentic learning experience while improving the community.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a hit and run accident that occurred in the 700 Block of W Packer Avenue in the City of Oshkosh.

Earlier today at approximately 11:44 AM, the Oshkosh Police Department was notified of a hit and run accident that had occurred. The accident involved a vehicle striking a pedestrian. The striking vehicle is described as a newer BMW SUV, navy blue or black in color. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

If you live in the area of where this occurred and have video surveillance cameras, we are asking you to review your footage to see if this vehicle was recorded on your cameras.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Officer Scopp at the Oshkosh Police Department (920-236-5700). If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; orthrough the P3 App.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will again bring aviation personalities and other notables in the world of flight to the Theater in the Woods stage in 2023, with a full week of evening programs starting July 23. The 70th Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

This year’s lineup ranges from the moon missions of Apollo and Artemis, flying performances in the movies, and the history of air racing. In addition, EAA’s 70th anniversary year will be highlighted during a July 24 evening program. Theater in the Woods evening programs are supported by M&M’S.

“The evening programs at Theater in the Woods are one of those ‘only-at-Oshkosh’ traditions that have brought aviation legends, astronauts, entertainers, and many others to AirVenture audiences for more than 40 years,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This year’s highlights reach across the spectrum of flight and will entertain and educate regardless of which evening’s program people select to attend at this memorable venue.”

Among the highlights set for this year:

· Sunday, July 23 – “An Evening with Champions” traditional AirVenture pre-opening program

· Monday, July 24 – EAA’s 70th anniversary, plus “NASA – The Next Bold Step,” looking at the Apollo and Artemis programs, from the first steps on the moon to the next steps on the moon

· Tuesday, July 25 – Flying for Hollywood, featuring those involved in creating those dazzling sequences on the screen

· Wednesday, July 26 – WomenVenture night, focusing on 30 years of women flying U.S. combat missions

· Thursday, July 27 – “The Story of Devotion,” with background of the Korean War heroism that inspired the hit feature film “Devotion”

· Friday, July 28 – Vietnam Remembered: 50 Years Later, plus more on the mission, aircraft, and people of the U.S. Air Force Training Command

· Saturday, July 29 – Air Racing

Theater in the Woods evening programs are included with all AirVenture admissions. Exact guest lists and more information will be released as it is finalized.

Each year, the Williams Syndrome Association (WSA) dedicates the month of May to raise awareness by fundraising through events and activities throughout the United States. Once again, Brinkley’s Boutique is dedicated to its mission of fundraising for Williams Syndrome, having planned a number of fun and exciting events. The shop’s owners’ granddaughter and namesake, Brinkley, was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome during her first year of life – making the shop’s mission to increase awareness of Williams Syndrome and fundraise for WSA.

During May 2023 the city of Oshkosh will be changing the lights under the Fox River bridges to Blue, Red and Green – the official colors representing Williams Syndrome Association.

Brinkley’s Boutique is very excited to bring awareness of Williams Syndrome to not only the residents of Oshkosh, but also the hundreds of boaters and fishermen using our waterways during May.

Additionally, by patronizing local restaurants on the waterway, patrons will see promotional displays with a QR Code used to direct them to Brinkley’s Boutique website. After scanning, visitors with learn more about Williams Syndrome and the Bridge Light colors in support of Williams Syndrome. Here’s where the fun comes in….. visitors will be encouraged to take a picture of themselves with the lights in the background and upload it online with the hashtag, #OshkoshForWS. This picture will enter them into a drawing for a gift certificate from participating area restaurants. The entries can also receive a gift with a qualifying purchase by bringing their photo in person to Brinkley’s Boutique, 419 N. Main Steet, Oshkosh.

Annually, Brinkley’s Boutique participates in month-long fundraising activities to support WS. During May 2023, Brinkley’s Boutique will be playing Brinkley’s BINGO!! Their customers will purchase bingo cards, and the winner will receive a prize. They will also be selling a chance to win raffle baskets, and Be Kind utility bag. Brinkley’s Boutique will also be releasing the 2023 “B”Kind bracelet with proceeds being donated to Williams Syndrome Association.

Williams Syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone but is rare. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges. These often occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities, and an affinity for music. WS occurs equally in males and females and in all cultures worldwide.

Yesterday, Rep. Palmeri passed her first piece of legislation, Assembly Joint Resolution 31, which recognized the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Women’s Gymnastics team on winning the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) 2023 National Championship. Rep. Palmeri released the following statement:

“I was honored to be able to host the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Women’s Gymnastics team at the capitol along with Senator Feyen and Representative Schraa. I was able to speak with the team and learnabout their diverse educational interests and the careers they hope to have after they graduate.

“On March 25, 2023, the UW-Oshkosh Titans Women’s Gymnastics posted a score of 192.525 at the National Championship competition at Winona State University, earning the program’s sixth overallchampionship, its fourth in the NCGA and its second-consecutive NCGA title.

“Several UWO Gymnastics team members also earned individual national awards and honors includingFreshman Reanna McGibboney, who led the Titans with two All-America awards in floor exercise andvault; Sophomore Mia Lucero, who earned an All-America medal in vault; Senior Trinity Sawyer, whoearned an All-America medal in uneven bars; Freshman Lydia Hayden, who earned an All-Americamedal on balance beam; and Junior Emily Buffington whose all-around performance and scores earnedher an All-America medal and Seniors Adana Amor, Haley Volstad and Kennedy Springer who were allnamed NCGA Academic All-Americans.

“Again, I want to congratulate the UW-Oshkosh gymnastics team for their championship win and alsothank the team for taking time out of their busy schedules to come down to the capitol and berecognized.”

The Mid Wisconsin Chippers, a group of skilled woodcarvers and artists, are proud to announce the 47th Annual “Artistry in Wood” show on Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM at the Oshkosh Convention Center.

This unique event will feature over 80 woodcarvers, pyrography artists, and various artists from 30 different towns and cities in Wisconsin and the Fox Valley area. Visitors can experience ancient crafts like wood carving and pyrography, which date back 11,000 years and the 17th century respectively.

The event will feature a Bucket Raffle, Demonstrations, Tool and Wood vendors, How to Books, and a Food Concession, as well as various pieces of artwork for sale. Vendors will also be available to help start people on a new hobby and adventure. The Show’s theme is “Everything you need to get started and grow in woodcarving.”

One of the main highlights of the show will be a Competition Judging contest for all skill levels with 27 different categories. Entries will be judged by three teams including Master Carvers.

“Artistry in Wood” offers something for everyone, from animals, birds, caricatures, and human figures to artistic pieces. Woodburners will exhibit work using wood, leather, gourds, and paper.

The show will showcase the expression of different forms of wood art created from all over the Wisconsin area including the Fox Valley. Families and people of all ages are welcome to attend.

“We’re excited to share the talents of our community with the public,” said Board Member R. Krummick. “Our hope is that visitors will enjoy the artwork of their neighbors and friends.”

Admission is $5.00 for adults, children under 12 are free. Proceeds will support the Mid Wisconsin Chippers organization.

For more information, please contact Board Member R. Krummick at 847-922-2372 or email [email protected].

Team registration is open for The Amazing Oshkosh, a fast-paced community race presented by Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis that puts participants through a series of challenges highlighting work of local service organizations.

The event will be Sat., May 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a post-race celebration at the Military Veterans Museum.

Amazing Oshkosh includes stops at 10 sites and showcases the important work of non-profits and other local organizations. At each site teams of four will complete challenges designed to highlight a specific agency’s mission and the service it provides to the Oshkosh community.

“As teams race around the city they’ll face tasks that are challenging, fun and sometimes a little bit unexpected,” said Jason Lowe, Kiwanis Vice President and event organizer. “They’ll also learn about important causes and gain a deeper appreciation for the incredible work these organizations do.”

There will be a $400 cash prize and gift card basket for the team that finishes the race with the fastest time; and a $250 Spirit Award plus gift card basket for the team that best livens up the competition with props, catchy cheers and other hijinks.

Organizations running challenges at the 10 stops are Father Carr’s Place 2B, Winnebago County Foster Closet, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, Oshkosh Police Department, pds Fusion, Oshkosh Area United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mid-Morning Kiwanis of Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Public Library.

Amazing Oshkosh is a great activity for families, friends, students and team building with co-workers. Registration fees of $50 per team include a T-shirt for each competitor.

For complete rules and additional information about The Amazing Oshkosh visit amazingoshkosh.org. Many thanks to our sponsors Thrivent and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation for their support.

Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis funds a variety of programs and projects that benefit children in the Oshkosh area, including Project Undercover (socks and underwear for children in local schools); more than $100,000 in grants to local teachers for innovative classroom projects; and more than 100 iPads donated to local children with Autism. The club also awards grants to many local non-profits and programs that serve children.

The Oshkosh Police Department has announced the release of two sex offenders who will be living at no fixed address in Oshkosh.

They are James Gieringer and Darius Kent.

Gieringer was convicted in 2008 of child enticement and possession of child pornography. Kent was convicted in 2017 of 10 counts of possession of child pornography.

The department said it was announcing this information under a section of state law that authorizeslaw enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, at the discretionof the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

The city of Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) has partnered with FOCUS ON ENERGY to host an event for residents to learn about available benefits from Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program and the Inflation Reduction Act. This FREE event will be held on Wednesday, May 3rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Avenue. Attendees may bring their children, as this is a family friendly event with activity books and crayons for kids.

Making one’s home more efficient can have many benefits: lower energy bills, a more comfortable home, better indoor air quality, and a lower environmental impact. The free event on May 3rd will allow residents to learn:

• Which energy projects to start with to save the most money

• How to take advantage of Focus on Energy rebates and resources

• General information on available tax credits for home energy projects

There are more resources available now than ever before to lower the cost of going efficient. This event is hosted by the Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board in partnership with Focus on Energy. For more information, contact the Oshkosh Community Development Department at (920) 236-5059.

After almost two decades of service, the director of the Oshkosh Public Library and Winnefox Library System has announced that he will be retiring from his shared roles on June 2.

Jeff Gilderson-Duwe explained that personal and professional considerations have convinced him that now is the right time to make the change.

“Both Oshkosh Public Library and Winnefox Library System have staff of amazing knowledge and skill,” said Gilderson-Duwe. “It has been a privilege to work with them since 2005, and I’m proud of my role in supporting the excellence they bring to library and system services every day.”

During his tenure, Gilderson-Duwe implemented several improvements including expanding the library’s digital resources and streaming options, adding public Wi-Fi, and successfully adapting library services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gilderson-Duwe expressed his gratitude to the Oshkosh community and both boards of trustees for their steadfast support. In this new chapter, Gilderson-Duwe is looking forward to spending more time withfamily and relaxing with a good book.

he Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is hosting walk-in hiring events for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 jobs beginning on April 29. EAA is looking to hire individuals to fill as many as 700 temporary positions in various areas.

EAA AirVenture will be held July 24-30, and is the world’s largest annual gathering of aviation fans, with people visiting from more than 80 countries. These temporary positions are excellent opportunities for many people, including students or retirees, who are seeking a temporary position that does not require a full summer commitment.

Positions available include retail associate, security/event support, auto parking cashier, camper registration, facilities staff, and bartender. To apply, retail and auto parking applicants must be at least 14 years old, security at least 16 years old, and 18 years old for all other positions. It is encouraged to apply online before the hiring events, as individuals will have the opportunity to interview onsite.

The dates and times for the hiring event are:

Applying at the earliest possible date will provide applicants the best chance at getting their preferred shift. The website to apply is EAA.org/Hiring. There are two parts to the application: creating an account and completing an application. Detailed instructions about applying are also provided at that website. In addition, applications may be completed at the kiosk in the EAA Aviation Museum lobby. After submitting an application, individuals will receive a confirmation email.

If applicants are unable to attend the dates listed, email [email protected] to schedule a separate interview time. All interviews will be held at the EAA Aviation Museum, 3000 Poberezny Road in Oshkosh.

Multicultural Coalition, Inc. (MCI) is hosting two health and resource events in Oshkosh.

Families and individuals who attend these events can also learn about upcoming changes in Medicaid, FoodShare and BadgerCare programs and can be referred to a MyAccess expert for assistance. Additionally, health and wellness resources, free diapers, translated materials, bilingual speakers, stuffed animals and medical experts will be available.

“This event is another example of a community organizing to ensure people have the information they need to make the decisions that are right for them,” explained Lisa Cruz, executive director of MCI. “Health in general is a complex road to navigate and our goal is to reduce and eliminate barriers to information and resources.”

These community-led vaccination events will feature:

MCI’s clinics will feature the Pfizer brand vaccines for anyone looking to get protected. The vaccination clinics are free and open to walk-ins. No pre-registration, identification or health insurance is required to receive a vaccination.

The vaccination clinics are supported by: Multicultural Coalition, Inc., NEW Hmong Professionals, Pointters Community Initiatives, Partnership Community Health Center, Casa Hispana, Inc., CAP Services, Oshkosh Public Library, Oshkosh Community Pantry, United Way Fox Cities, Winnebago County Health Department, Red Shoes, Inc., Hometown Pharmacy, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and First Congregational Church of Oshkosh.

A presentation highlighting one of World War II’s most famous units is April’s edition of EAA’s Aviation Adventure Speaker Series. George Luz Jr. will tell the story of his father, and other soldiers who made up E Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, on April 27 at 7 p.m. at the EAA Aviation Museum. The unit of paratroopers inspired both the book and HBO miniseries known as Band of Brothers.

The unit fought in some of World War II’s most pivotal moments including the D-Day battles and the Battle of the Bulge. Toward the end of the war, the unit helped liberate Adolf Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. Luz Jr. will talk about his father’s service and his own visits to historical sites in Europe.

Aviation Adventure Speaker Series is free to attend for EAA Members, and $5 for nonmembers. Other upcoming presentations include John Vanetten on May 18, who flew a historic search and rescue mission to save Lt. Col. Iceal E. “Gene” Hambleton, call sign “Bat 21,” during the Vietnam War. Another Vietnam-era speaker will present on June 15, as James Markel will talk about his experience flying the F-8 Crusader.

More information on upcoming Speaker Series presentations can be found at EAA.org/SpeakerSeries.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) Education Foundation is pleased to host its inaugural fundraising gala on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 6 p.m. at The Waters. Proceeds from this inaugural event will benefit Oshkosh K-12 visual and performing arts students, staff, and programs.

This year’s gala theme is Derby Day! Attendees are encouraged to don their “Kentucky Derby Best” and favorite hat or fascinator and get ready to experience and support the incredible talents of the OASD visual and performing arts programs. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online at oshkosh.k12.wi.us/gala until April 21, 2023. The event will feature student, faculty, and alumni performances, a student art show, mingling, heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet, dessert bar, and cash bar. The building rental was provided as a donation by The Waters; along with donating the net revenue proceeds from the bar to the fundraiser.

The OASD Education Foundation’s fundraising gala aims to support Oshkosh public schools, with proceeds benefiting a specific need or area each year.

“Ensuring that our public school students have access to a robust arts education is incredibly important,” said Theresa Duren, OASD Education Foundation Director. “Research shows children who participate in the arts in school do better across the board academically, have better school attendance, and they also become more active and engaged citizens. The positive impact of art experiences in school is even greater for students who are socially and economically disadvantaged.”

In recent years the OASD made a commitment to reducing curriculum barriers for all students – including eliminating student and course fees. With fees no longer in place for many music and arts courses, staff and schools are forced to find alternative funding for course materials and equipment or at times alter their lesson plans or even provide materials themselves, personally.

Before and during the Gala, the Foundation is also working to get new instruments, equipment, and resources in the hands of current arts educators and students. The 2023 Gala Wish List was compiled by visual and performing arts teachers in the Oshkosh Area School District and reflects current needs – from instruments and classroom equipment to transportation support. Individuals may directly fund any items on the wishlist, which will then be secured for the following school year. To view the Wish List and make a donation, visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/gala.

“We have already had many generous donors and supporters get involved in this fundraising effort,” said Duren. “Their generosity includes donating $18,000 to purchase a timpani, $750 for a cello, as well as $1,400 to fund scholarships so students in need can attend choir camp, and $5,600 to fund transportation to parades, performances, and field trips.”

The 2023 Gala is being led by event chairs, Beth Wyman and Dawn Davis, and supported by event champions and arts advocates, Herb Berendsen, Erin Boehme, Brad Curran, Geri Grine, Jim Grine, Brenda Haines, Alex Hummel, Joye Moon, Aaron Sherer, Paul Smith, Dr. Susan Szabo, and Randy Zentner.

A special thank you to event sponsors: The Waters, Brown & Brown, ArtsCore, HPS | PayMedix, Shirley Brabender Mattox, Miron Construction, Paine Art Center and Gardens, Scout RX, Susan and John Vette

Lauren Contreras, a junior at Neenah High School is eager to share her passion for saving the environment. A resident of Oshkosh, WI, Lauren is one of 10 students who were recently awarded the NSHSS Foundation Earth Day Scholarship, given by National Society of High School Scholars Foundation. This award recognizes students who actively raise awareness and protect our planet through projects or activities in their schools and communities.

40% of all food worldwide is wasted, and 35 tons of that food is within schools in the US. In the cafeteria, Lauren saw how her peers threw perfectly good food away, which in turn ended up in landfills. After some research, she found composting was the solution.

To test it out at home, she built a composter out of scrap wood and filled it with food like fruits and vegetables. She recorded how long it took for the food to decompose and become soil and the quantity of soil that was made. She logged everything and created a presentation consisting of three different plans her school could use to easily compost food. She pitched the idea to her principal, who agreed that starting a composting program would be a great idea once the school finishes its location change. After this discussion, Lauren created an educational video for the students at her school. The video talked about composting and how each individual can prevent food waste. Her family also continues to use the composter she constructed. All soil that’s created goes into her garden, where she grows vegetables that she shares with members of her community.About NSHSS Foundation

NSHSS Foundation fosters the growth of graduates enrolled in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), business, economics, public policy, and environmental science and sustainability fields. Through special programs, including the NSHSS Honor Society, the NSHSS Foundation connects young scholars with additional opportunities to advance their education, personal growth, and career interests. For more information, visit https://nshssfoundation.org/.

Athletes can get a taste of the world’s largest fly-in as the Experimental Aircraft Association offers a Runway 5K run/walk during AirVenture Oshkosh 2023 on Saturday, July 29. The race begins at 7 a.m. at the Ultralight Barn and is open to everyone, including walkers, first-time runners, and seasoned athletes.

The 5K route is a tour through the AirVenture grounds. Attendees can expect to see aircraft from all over the world and much of AirVenture’s unique atmosphere.

“The Runway 5K race is one of my favorite events at AirVenture because of how unique the route is,” said Jacqui Gunn, EAA’s coordinator for this event. “I don’t think anywhere else in Wisconsin provides a 5K experience like this where the route takes you directly through the grounds of an aviation celebration and gets you up close with different aircraft.”

Attendees do not need AirVenture admission to participate in the race and do have the opportunity to purchase discounted July 29 admission tickets. Free parking is available in the Gold lot, near the Ultralight Barn, the morning of the race.

Standard registration is open until July 28. Individuals may also register the day of the race, July 29. The registration includes an official event T-shirt, post-race food, refreshments, and access to shower facilities.

The Runway 5K is presented by Covington Aircraft with awards courtesy of Piedmont Airlines, and additional support from 4imprint, 96.9 The Fox, and 103.9 WVBO. Proceeds from this year’s run benefit the Winnebago County Sherriff’s Department K-9 Unit.

More information about the race is available at EAA.org/Runway5K.

No Mow May is a conservation initiative that encourages people to suspend or reduce lawn cutting on their property as one way to promote early growing of pollinator friendly habitats. The city of Oshkosh will relax enforcement of the long grass and weed cutting ordinance for registered participants. Registration is now open for Oshkosh property owners who wish to participate.

Participation in No Mow May is voluntary and free of charge, but registration is required. Registration deadline is April 30th. Properties that have NOT registered for the city’s No Mow May program will be subject to regular penalties for long grasses or weeds. Property owners may register through a link on the city’s website which can be accessed through the “Hot Topics” section, or by using the “Connect Oshkosh” app for mobile devices.

The city of Oshkosh does not require yard signs for No Mow May, and does not have signs to distribute. Please follow the City of Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board Facebook page, or the Pollenablers Facebook page for updates and possible sign distribution events.

No Mow May encourages early season forage for native pollinators by reducing local mowing intensity during a month when foraging resources are limited. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often minimal. In 2022, approximately 600 Oshkosh property owners participated. For more information about No Mow May, please contact the Oshkosh Community Development Department at (920) 236-5059.

The city of Oshkosh has selected Diane Bartlett as its next City Clerk. In her new position, Bartlett will oversee the City Clerk’s Office, which is responsible for elections, the issuance of city licenses, and maintaining legislative records for the Oshkosh Common Council.

“Diane Bartlett has a proven record of providing excellent service for the city of Oshkosh as my Executive Assistant for the last eight years,” commented City Manager Mark Rohloff. “She has provided valuable service in this office, and I have full confidence that she will continue to excel in her new role with the city.”

Bartlett has been the City Manager’s Executive Assistant since 2015 where she was responsible for coordinating City Manager’s Office departmental functions, including facilitating organizational efficiency and performance management, in addition to managing the population of city Boards and Committees. Prior to that, she was an Administrative Assistant for Ripon Public Schools for 11 years. Bartlett has 19 years of public sector experience in various roles. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Marian University, and had previously earned her Associate’s Degree in the Administrative Assistant Program at Moraine Park Technical College.

“I am honored to serve as the Oshkosh City Clerk! Oshkosh is a great community and I am thankful to be a part of it. I look forward to working with elected officials and city staff to serve the residents of Oshkosh and our community partners. The City Clerk’s Office will continue to be a supportive resource for community businesses and residents,” said Bartlett.

Bartlett will begin her duties as City Clerk on May 1, 2023. She will be replacing current City Clerk Jessi Balcom, who has accepted an administrative position in the city of Oshkosh Transportation Department.

If you are passionate about reducing waste and helping the environment, be sure to mark your calendars and invite your friends to an Earth Day Event at Oshkosh Public Library. Help us celebrate our planet and discover new ways to make a difference.

Think Outside the Trash: Upcycling & Recycling takes place on April 22 at 3 p.m., in the library’s Lower Level. The free program aims to promote creative ways to reuse and repurpose materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Participants will have the opportunity to dig into an expert-led, hands-on upcycling craft, while learning more about recycling from Jessica Hanson, Communications & Program Development Specialist of Winnebago County Solid Waste Management.

“This event is all about promoting sustainable practices and encouraging people to think twice before throwing something away,” said Nancy Bell, readers’ advisory librarian and program coordinator.

“We hope to show that with a little creativity, even the most mundane items can be turned into something beautiful and useful.”

While participants are encouraged to bring their own materials to upcycle, a limited supply of items will be available.

For more information visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org or call (920) 236-5205.

The Oshkosh Area School District is proud to have two seniors from Oshkosh West High School recognized as 2023 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Award Recipients.

Ava Berdelman and Hannah Chung were named 2023 Herb Kohl Student Excellence Scholarship recipients for their academic excellence and leadership. The students are among 190 graduating seniors across Wisconsin that will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Foundation.

“We are incredibly proud of these remarkable students,” said Dr. Bryan Davis, Superintendent of Schools for the Oshkosh Area School District. “This award is a testament to their hard work and commitment to excellence. As a District, we are grateful to be able to provide students with a supportive learning environment that challenges them to reach their full potential.”

Ava Berdelman is a senior at Oshkosh West High School and is excited to graduate as one of the valedictorians of the class of 2023 this spring. She plans to double major in biochemistry and Spanish and will attend either the University of Wisconsin-Madison or New York University in the fall. At Oshkosh West, Ava has been a member of Global Academy for four years where she received her Certificate of Global Competence. She has also been involved in the Oshkosh Twirl Team, tennis, O’Neil National Honor Society, Student Council, Spanish Club, and Rotary Club, where she served as vice-president. She has prioritized giving back to her community and has volunteered at the Day by Day Warming Shelter, Father Carr’s Place 2B, and the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh. Since the age of three, Ava has spent countless hours studying baton twirling and dance at Julie’s Touch of Silver Dance Studio. As a member of the Twirling Corps, she has competed at the state, national, and international levels and won a gold medal in Norway as a member of Team USA. She is grateful to her teachers and all those who have supported her and is honored to accept this award.

Hannah Chung is a senior valedictorian at Oshkosh West High Schoo graduating in 2023. Admitted to Princeton, MIT, Stanford, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, Rice University, and Notre Dame, Hannah plans to study environmental engineering at her final school of choice. She is the recipient of the 2022 FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship Dean’s List Finalist Award, the team lead of 2826 Wave Robotics, co-founder and co-president of the environmental organization The Green Alarm, editor-in-chief of the Oshkosh West Index, concertmaster of the Oshkosh West symphony orchestra, captain of the Oshkosh West Girls Varsity Tennis Team, and president of Rotary Club. Hannah is the developer of the Earth4Us project to separate and transport student food waste to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh biodigesting facilities for composting and methane-extraction generating green energy—a project she created after taking Harvard University’s Sustainable Development and Design of Renewable Energy Projects courses and studying Marine Science and Sustainability abroad in the Spanish Island of Mallorca. Hannah is honored to accept this scholarship and expresses gratitude to her teachers and friends.

Scarlett Hotel Group (SHG) announced today that it has purchased the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center, located at 1 Main Street in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The property will begin a major renovation this fall, but will continue service for visitors and events. David Helgeson, a longtime Wisconsin resident, will remain as the general manager.

“I’m proud to have been with the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center for more than ten years now,” said Helgeson, who served as the director of sales at the property before being promoted to general manager. “We have a strong team that’s dedicated to this community, whether it’s putting on the perfect wedding by the lake or serving the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to Oshkosh each year.”

The Oshkosh Convention Center, which is owned by the City, will be managed by Scarlett Hotel Group.“We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with SHG for years to come, as they bring the crown jewel of our downtown to the next level,” said Mark Rohloff, Oshkosh city manager. Principal and co-founder of SHG, Zio Pekovic added, “The convention center is a mainstay for the community and visitors from all over Wisconsin and the country. This is a great opportunity to invest in the property and put Oshkosh in a position to be able to capture more group business, which will benefit the hotel and local business community.”

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its 2023-24 Leadership Oshkosh program.

Leadership Oshkosh is designed to bring together a diverse group of individuals who share aninterest in and commitment to the Oshkosh community. The program will be celebrating its 35thYear. Our mission is to inspire, empower and connect people to make a difference in thecommunity.

Leadership participants share these characteristics:

United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on April 11, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted John D. Schaefer (age: 34) of Menasha and Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on a count of production of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a), and a count of distribution of child pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(2)(A).

The indictment alleges that on or about August 2, 2020, Schaefer “employed and used a minor” for the purpose of creating a “visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.” It further alleges that on or about September 21, 2021, Schaefer distributed a digital video depicting the sexual assault of a prepubescent child.

If convicted of the production charge, Schaefer faces a mandatory minimum 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. He faces up to 40 years’ imprisonment on the distribution charge. He also faces up to a $250,000 fine on each count.

This case was investigated by the City of Menasha Police Department and the City of Oshkosh Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Monday, April 10th, 2023, at 5:49 a.m., the Oshkosh Fire Department was dispatched for a water flow alarm at Sakura Japanese Steakhouse, 330 North Koeller Street in the City of Oshkosh. Engine 16 and Ladder 15 responded initially and upgraded the alarm to a structure fire response after observing smoke coming from the building. The fire activated the fire sprinkler system which controlled the fire until it could be fully extinguished.

The fire was caused by the spontaneous combustion of deep-fried tempura flakes.

No injuries were reported.

The Oshkosh Fire Department and Fox Valley Technical College are partnering with Read Elementary School to help create an innovative public play space at the school.

With an exciting fire station theme—including a play fire truck—this playground will create a safe place for students to socially connect and use their imagination while also helping build a stronger partnership between the school and the community. In addition, the themed playground will be a place to nurture relationships between first responders and students and create opportunities that will intrigue children to join the fire department in the future.

“We are well aware of research that highlights the importance of introducing children to potential job opportunities at a young age,” says Michael Stanley, fire chief of Oshkosh Fire Department. “By giving children the opportunity to play on a fire truck every day, our hope is we inspire a new generation of firefighters. On this playground, we hope any child in Oshkosh or those visiting our community will dream of one day becoming a firefighter.”

Read Elementary is a diverse kindergarten-fifth grade neighborhood school with approximately 370 students; 62% are identified as economically disadvantaged. The collaboration came about when parents, community members and staff began to explore how to update the school’s playground and create a safe destination for students. With the concept created, the school is asking for support from the community with a financial goal of $450,000 ($192,425 has already been raised), in hopes of breaking ground in the summer of 2023.

In addition to the playground partnership, Oshkosh Fire and Fox Valley Technical College plan to support the school in several other ways, including:

For more information on how to help with the play space project, go to www.readplayground.com.

The Oshkosh Common Council is accepting applications from city residents to fill an anticipated vacancy in an at-large council seat. The vacant seat is a result of Council Member Matt Mugerauer being elected as Mayor. The appointment to the at-large seat would run through April, 2024.

Interested residents should submit a completed Council Candidate Questionnaire to the City Clerk. Questionnaires may be found on the city of Oshkosh website at this page. Completed Questionnaires must be turned in to the City Clerk’s office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023. The Common Council will review the completed Questionnaires and any other information submitted by applicants.

Applicants will be asked to make a five-minute presentation at the Tuesday, April 25, 2023, meeting of the Oshkosh Common Council. The Council will make an appointment at the regular Council meeting on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Completed Questionnaires may be hand delivered, sent via the U. S. Postal Service or emailed to the Office of the City Clerk:

Postal Address: Oshkosh City Clerk, P.O. Box 1130, Oshkosh WI 54903-1130

Email address: [email protected]

For questions regarding this process, please contact the Oshkosh City Manager’s office at (920) 236-5002. ALL APPLICANT INFORMATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or Commission) today announced the creation of a new, additional area code to overlay the area in which the 920 area code is now in service. This area includes communities such as Appleton, Beaver Dam, Berlin, Fond du Lac, Fort Atkinson, Green Bay, Manitowoc, Oshkosh, Ripon, Sheboygan, Sturgeon Bay, and Watertown.

The 920 area code is expected to run out of assignable prefixes (the three numbers in a phone number following the area code) by the first quarter of 2024. The new 274 area code will be used to provide telephone numbers to new customers. All current customers will retain their existing telephone numbers and will continue to dial and receive calls without change.

Following the process established by the Commission, the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA), the neutral third-party area code relief planner, has filed notification of the process to overlay a new area code. This process will provide additional numbering resources to meet the demand for telephone numbers. The new 274 area code will be in service beginning May 5, 2023. NANPA will assign 274 area codes once all of the 920 area codes have been assigned, which could happen as soon as the end of the year.

An area code overlay adds a second area code to the geographic region served by the existing area code. Therefore, multiple area codes co-exist within the same geographic region.

Customers will continue to dial the three-digit area code for all calls to and from telephone numbers with the 920 and 274 area codes. The price of a call will not change due to the overlay. Customers can still dial just three digits to reach 911, as well as 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711, 811, and 988, the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

The plan filed by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator can be found here.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating an incident in the 900 block of Wright Street.

On April 6, 2023 at approximately 3:30 PM, a 24 year old male from Oshkosh was arrested for one count of Strong Armed Robbery, Criminal Damage to Property, Felony Bail Jumping, and Misdemeanor Bail Jumping as a result of an investigation that originated in the 900 block of Wright Street.

The male and victim are known to one another. There is currently no danger to the public and the Oshkosh Police Department is not looking for any additional individuals related to this matter.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 911 (if an emergency) or (920) 236-5700. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can do so by using the P3 tip app through the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced two Wisconsin airports will receive federal funding through the FAA Contract Tower Program for fiscal year 2023. This funding, available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will modernize airport control towers with current technology and other operational enhancements.

Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee will receive $608,000 and Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh will receive $200,000 for improved operations and safety.

“Congratulations to two great airports for well-deserved BIL grants that will advance control tower technology and offer greater safety features,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “Wittman Regional Airport is familiar to many who participate in EAA AirVenture annually and it serves a vital role year-round for the businesses and travelers of the Fox River Valley. C-Way is critical to central Wisconsin, including the Marshfield Clinic, Wausau and Stevens Point.”

The project for Central Wisconsin Airport will replace outdated equipment and overhaul control tower functionality. Adding a tracking system and improving radio communication between the tower and on-the-ground support vehicles will boost overall airport safety.

Wittman Regional Airport’s project will replace old control tower equipment for better safety and lower operational costs. As the world’s busiest airport each year during EAA, this is important to the safety of thousands of pilots and ground crew.

These recent grant announcements join a growing list of projects awarded to Wisconsin communities as part of BIL. WisDOT is actively supporting communities, municipalities, and eligible institutions through the competitive grant process. WisDOT’s grant resources, at wisconsindot.gov/discretionarygrants, include a Summary Guide to BIL Discretionary Grants, schedule of discretionary grants, link for communities to request a Letter of Support, and others.

Yesterday, the Oshkosh Police Department conducted a welfare check on Supervisor Mike Norton, who had passed away in his residence. The death is not considered suspicious. Mike had served his Oshkosh neighbors on the county board since 2000, and his twenty-three years of service is the second highest among active board members. He had represented the county over the years on Wisconsin Counties Association and National Association of Counties steering committees – particularly advocating for human services and public health issues. We offer our condolences to his friends and family. The family will be using Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home.

– County Board Chairman Tom Egan and County Executive Jon Doemel

On Saturday, April 1 the OFD held their annual Awards Ceremony at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel. Numerous awards were presented to both Oshkosh Firefighters as wells citizens and businesses of Oshkosh. They were all recognized for their contributions and service to both our Department and the City.

Of special note were the Legislative Certificates of Commendation presented by Wisconsin Senator Dan Feyen and Wisconsin Representative Lori Palmeri on behalf of Senator Feyen, Representative Palmeri, and Wisconsin Representative Michael Schraa. These Certificates of Commendation were presented to Captain Scott Krause, Equipment Operator Chris Heder, and Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Antes. They were honored due to the multiple ice rescues they performed at 2022’s Battle on Bago whena severe snow squall hit the area.

These gentlemen have been recognized by The City of Oshkosh as Employees of the Quarter and Employees of the Year, The Oshkosh Fire Department for Exceptional Duty, and now The State of Wisconsin. We are very proud to have these dedicated individuals, who exemplify our values andmission, as part of our Department.

After conducting numerous interviews and extensive follow up, detectives were able to identify two suspects involved with this Robbery. After several lengthy surveillance operations, detectives located and took into custody a 40 year old male from Oshkosh for: Party to the Crime of Armed Robbery, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, and Resisting/Obstructing an Officer. Deputies from Calumet County Sheriff’s Office located a 60 year old male from Little Chute who was also involved in this Robbery. Deputies took him into custody for: Felony Bail Jumping, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Narcotic Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and a Probation Violation. This 60 year old will also be facing charges from the OshkoshPolice Department for Party to the Crime of Armed Robbery.

The public is invited to take a walk down memory lane during a farewell tour of Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle School.

Two tour dates will be available: Wednesday, May 3 from 6 – 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 1 – 3 p.m. Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour of the schools that will close at the end of the 2022-23 school year. There is no need to register in advance and people are welcome to arrive anytime in the two-hour window. Attendees may enter through the main entrances of the elementary or middle school, located at 915 Hazel Street.

The Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle School building was originally constructed in 1953. In 1965, it underwent a classroom addition, followed in 1980 by a library/instructional materials center (IMC) addition. In 1992, a gymnasium and classroom addition was constructed, and in 1997 the building received its latest classroom addition.

The Webster Stanley school building will be demolished in June 2023 to allow construction to begin on the new Menominee Elementary School, made possible by the capital referendum passed by district voters in November 2020. Menominee Elementary School is set to open in the fall of 2024 and will welcome students from Merrill Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Webster Stanley Elementary schools. Students from Webster Stanley Elementary School will attend school at the Merrill school building next year while the new school is constructed. The three school communities will move into the new elementary school for the 2024-2025 school year.

“We know that our community members have many fond memories of this building, and we want to provide the opportunity to say goodbye,” said Dr. Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “Students, alumni, parents, and even grandparents often reflect on being a part of the Webster Stanley story and we hope they are able to enjoy the chance to celebrate its history before we embrace our exciting future as Menominee Elementary.”

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

After more than two and a half years of operation, the Winnebago County Health Department will no longer be offering COVID-19 testing or vaccination at Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh. The last day for vaccination is Wednesday, April 12, and the last day for weekday testing is Friday, April 14.

The health department will continue to provide walk-in COVID-19 vaccination at the County Administration Building in Oshkosh, located at 112 Otter Avenue, on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Curbside accommodations and appointments outside of these hours can be made by calling the health department at 920- 232-3000. As vaccination guidance evolves, additional pop-up clinics may be held for the community. Free at-home test kits are available at select community locations and households can order tests until the end of May through the Say Yes Covid Test program.

“We have witnessed a humbling display of compassion across our communities over these past few years,” said Doug Gieryn, director/health officer for the Winnebago County Health Department. “Words alone will never be enough to express my appreciation and gratitude for our staff, volunteers and partners that gave so much to be there when the community needed them most.”

The regional COVID-19 testing clinic at Sunnyview Expo Center opened on September 1, 2020, in collaboration with the Wisconsin National Guard. Community partners and Accelerated Clinical Laboratories have helped to keep testing services readily available at this location. Since opening, over 100,000 COVID-19 tests have been provided at Sunnyview Expo Center for no charge to those seeking services.

Once the COVID-19 vaccine became available, the Winnebago County Health Department opened a clinic at Sunnyview Expo Center on February 1, 2021. Just 2 days later, on February 3, staff and volunteers recorded a record-high number of doses, administering just over 1,200 shots in one day. Altogether, over 30,000 vaccine doses have been administered at Sunnyview, including another three days in 2021 that reached over 1,000 doses.

The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be the best tool to protect against infection, serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. The vaccine is currently approved for anyone six months and older, and boosters are recommended for everyone five and older. Find local vaccination clinics at www.wcvaccine.org.

Testing will continue at healthcare providers, retail stores, pharmacies and online. Insurance companies, Medicaid (BadgerCare), and Medicare are also required to reimburse up to eight tests per month, per member. Additional testing locations can be found at www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

For questions, please call the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3000 or visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

Since the March 30, 2023, media release on this topic, FM Entertainment has secured the Leach Amphitheater to present the Train with Better Than Ezra concert on August 6, 2023. FM Entertainment is the promoter of the show.

Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff said, “The Oshkosh Parks Department is working directly with FM Entertainment to ensure that all necessary arrangements are set for the event. The city is pleased to see another event added to a long lineup of events at the Leach Amphitheater.”

Ticket sales will continue to be handled through Ticketmaster. The concert date and time will remain the same, August 6, 2023, at 6:30 pm. FM Entertainment is excited to bring this event to Downtown Oshkosh. For further information, please contact Frank Mastalerz of FM Entertainment at [email protected].

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated a possible weapons complaint at Oshkosh West High School in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 08:11 AM, Officers received information that a student possibly had a weapon and that he was showing this weapon to other students in the parking lot of Oshkosh West High School. Students who saw the subject with the weapon, immediately came to the office to report it to school staff. School staff then notified law enforcement. Officers arrived on scene by 8:15 AM and began searching for the student’s whereabouts.

The student was located by Officers in the school and the reported weapon was located in the student’s vehicle. The possible weapon has been identified as an air soft facsimile weapon. Oshkosh West High School followed their protocol and placed a hold and then a lockdown on the school while this was investigated. The students are safe and there are no injuries from this incident.

We tell our students the mantra “If you see something, say something” and that is exactly what the students did today- these students SAW SOMETHING AND SAID SOMETHING IMMEDIATELY TO SCHOOL STAFF. The Oshkosh Police Department and the Oshkosh Area School District are so proud of these students and their commitment to helping keep the school safe.

The safety and security of our students continues to be our top priority, and we take all police calls for service seriously and investigate each one thoroughly.

On Thursday a 8:28 p.m. the City of Oshkosh Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire in the 2100 block of Evans Street. Fire crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming from a second-level apartment. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes and caused extensive damage to one apartment and minor damage to adjacent apartments. 10 residents were displaced and assisted by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Today at 10:56 AM we were called out for a structure fire at The Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel, 1 North Main Street. The first company on the scene reported high heat and heavy smoke at a south side door to the building. The fire was located in that back stairway and was quickly extinguished.

Hotel staff, assisted by the Oshkosh Police Department, ensured that all of the guests and staff were safely evacuated.

There were no injuries.

The Town of Oshkosh Fire Department along with Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue and The Village of Fox Crossing Fire Department provided mutual aid.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The eight first-term Democratic Representatives, collectively the “Assembly Dems Class of 2023”, have joined together to promote increased transparency in the Wisconsin State Legislature. Currently, the Wisconsin State Legislature has exempted itself from the same open record retention requirements that exist for the rest of state and local government. The Assembly Dems Class of 2023 have all signed on to legislation proposed by Senator Chris Larson and Representative Jimmy Anderson to end this exemption. This proposal was also included in the Governor’s Budget.

“The Assembly Dems Class of 2023 join together to support increased transparency in the State Legislature. Our class has a strong local government background with over three decades of local elected service. That local government service currently comes with a higher standard for retention of documents than that of the State Legislature. We have joined together to make sure our legislative colleagues hold themselves to the same standard that we were held to in local government. We ran for office to create a more open, honest, and accountable State Legislature – this legislation is an important first step in that direction,” said the Assembly Dems Class of 2023.

Rep. Clinton Anderson (D-45 Beloit)

Rep. Mike Bare (D-80 Verona)

Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-19 Milwaukee)

Rep. Jenna Jacobson (D-43 Oregon)

Rep. Alex Joers (D-79 Middleton)

Rep. Darrin Madison (D-10 Milwaukee)

Rep. Lori Palmeri (D-54 Oshokosh)

Rep. Melissa Ratcliff (D-46 Cottage Grove)

On Tuesday, March 28 from 3 – 5:30 p.m., Multicultural Coalition, Inc. (MCI) is hosting a community health event at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, located at 1250 Leonard Point Rd. in Oshkosh (map).

“We have seen so many from our most vulnerable communities get vaccinated against COVID-19, but there is still more work to be done,” explained Dr. Pafoua Her, board member of MCI and founder of 4Chi Business Solutions. “These vaccination events bring all the healthcare resources to our communities of color in places they feel safe. It’s a service that is critical to the safety and wellbeing of all within our community.”

MCI’s clinic will feature the Pfizer COVID-19 shots for anyone looking to get protected. The vaccination clinic is free and open to walk-ins. No pre-registration, identification or health insurance is required to receive a vaccine. Spanish and Hmong interpreters will also be on site at the event.

The MCI offerings at this vaccination clinic will feature:

A second vaccination event will be held at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Oshkosh on Tuesday, April 25 from 3-6 p.m.

The St. Paul’s United Church of Christ COVID-19 vaccination clinic is sponsored by: CAP Services, Casa Hispana, Inc., Multicultural Coalition, Inc., NEW Hmong Professionals, Partnership Community Health Center, Pointters Community Initiatives, Red Shoes Inc., RISE, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, United Way Fox Cities, Winnebago County Health Department and Wisconsin Council of Churches.

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Multicultural Coalition, Inc. (MCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was developed in October 2020 with the vision to improve the lives of all by creating a community that prospers together. Multicultural Coalition, Inc.’s mission is based on a movement created to acknowledge racial biases and proactively reach diverse populations with meaningful communication and actionable services, removing barriers, elevating all voices and fostering community engagement in Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties. For more information, visit ourmci.org and Multicultural Coalition, Inc. on Facebook.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing information regarding an officer involved shooting that occurred in the 500 block of North Main Street in Oshkosh.

On March 17, 2023 at approximately 1:30 AM, an Oshkosh police officer shot an individual during a police investigation.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is at the scene and is conducting the investigation of this incident in accordance with Wisconsin State Statute.

The officer is not injured.

The involved person in the shooting is currently being treated at ThedaCare Hospital.

There is currently no threat to public safety, and Oshkosh oolice are not looking for any additional individuals related to this matter.

Further information will be released when it becomes available from the Division of Criminal Investigation.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 911 (if an emergency) or (920) 236-5700. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can do so by using the P3 tip app through the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details. Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Mon., April 3Book Buzz: Shadows Reel, 8 a.m., YouTubeFamily Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12Wed., April 5High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsThurs., April 6High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Write Now! Series: The Exciting Part of Writing a Poem: Revising!, 6 p.m., adultsArt Fest Elementary Art Exhibit; through April 28, all agesFri., April 7Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 11Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6 – 8Young Adult Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 9 – 12Sun., April 9Library closedMon., April 10Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12

Tues., April 11Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1 – 4Adult DIY: Moss Wall Art, 6 p.m., adultsWed., April 12High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsMemory Café: Love to Laugh, 1:30 p.m., adultsBudget Listening Sessions, 5:30 – 7 p.m.Thurs., April 13High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Everyday Tech: Fun with Photos, 2 p.m., adultsDrop-in Tech Help, 3 – 4 p.m., adultsWiki Tree: A Family History Program, 6 p.m., adultsWrite Now Series: Filling Your Poetry Toolbox, 6 p.m., adultsFri., April 14Elementary Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 5 – 8Spring Genealogy Lock In, 6:30 p.m., adultsMon., April 17Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12Tues., April 18Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 p.m., adultsBanned Book Club at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., adultsWed., April 19High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsThurs., April 20High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adultsWonderlab: Build a Bottle Raft, 6:30 p.m., ages 5 – 8Fri., April 21Tween S.T.E.A.M.: Confetti Cannon, 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 12Open Mic at New Moon Coffee Shop, 7 p.m., teens & adultsSat., April 22Think Outside the Trash: Upcycling & Recycling for Earth Day, 10 a.m., all agesThe Curious Chemistry of Amazing Algae, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., ages 6 and olderMon., April 24Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m. ages 5 – 12Tues., April 25OAMTA Presents: Spring Recital, 6:30 p.m., all agesWed., April 26High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsThurs., April 27High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Everyday Tech: Email Basics, 2 p.m., adultsDrop-in Tech Help, 3 – 4 p.m., adultsArt By Librarians Public Reception, 6 – 8 p.m., all ages

Lakeside Marina has earned the distinction of being recognized as a Certified Dealer through the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas’ rigorous program, highlighting their exceptional commitment to providing customers with an unparalleled boating experience. The MRAA’s Certification program is a thorough process that evaluates dealerships’ dedication to delivering superior service to their clients. Lakeside Marina has demonstrated outstanding commitment to this goal, resulting in their well-deserved recognition as a Certified Dealer.

The process involves meeting strict requirements for certification by displaying steadfast dedication to maintaining superior customer care. Lakeside Marina has shown their commitment to enhancing process improvements, increasing employee and customer satisfaction, and dealership progress. “Obtaining certification as an MRAA Certified Dealer is a significant accomplishment, and we are proud to have achieved this recognition,” said Joe Honsa, Owner and President of Lakeside Marina.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to maintain the high standards required by the MRAA, and we arethrilled to have our efforts acknowledged in this way.”

The MRAA’s Certification program is designed to promote excellence in the boating industry by recognizing dealerships that provide exceptional customer service and maintain high standards ofprofessionalism. By achieving certification, Lakeside Marina has demonstrated their commitment toexcellence and their dedication to providing customers with first-class treatment.

“Lakeside Marina has earned this honor with its determined commitment to improving and also itsfaithfulness to delivering a superior boating experience to its customers,” said Liz Keener, Certification Manager, MRAA. “Lakeside Marina has revealed itself to be an authentic industry leader within the marine industry and is deserving of its Certification status.”

Lakeside Marina is delighted to have received this Certification and is excited to continue offeringtheir customers outstanding service.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) will be holding its annual parent information and preview meeting on the Grade 4 and 5 human growth and development curriculum. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 6 p.m., in the Board Room at the OASD Administration Office, 215 South Eagle Street. Parents of students with cognitive disabilities that want to view the modified curriculum will meet at the end of the parent session for additional information.

OASD parents who cannot attend the meeting should contact their elementary school principal for additional information.

Today, Chairman Robert Van Zile of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council delivered the 19th State of the Tribes Address in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Rep. Palmeri released the following statement:

“Today, I was honored to be able to attend the 19th Annual State of the Tribes Address. This addressprovides an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our state government and Wisconsin’ssovereign tribal nations, find common ground on issues we can work to address together, and acknowledges the indigenous land we occupy,” stated Rep. Palmeri.

“Our state government and the governments of Wisconsin’s sovereign tribal nations share a commitmentto the future generations to come. That is why Governor Evers has included funding for tribal communityfacilities and citizen housing improvements, tribal child care, and the creation of a Medicaid tribal reimbursement support team in his 2023-25 biennial budget.

“From serving in our nation’s military to being Wisconsin’s original inhabitants and conservationchampions, the impact of the 11 sovereign tribal nations of Wisconsin is undeniable. I am excited tocontinue working toward our shared future and addressing the needs of our communities.”

Girls interested in aviation as a hobby or career will have a chance to learn more about the industry as EAA hosts the first-ever Girls on the Fly event at the EAA Aviation Museum.

The event is free to attend, and open to girls in 6th through 12th grade. The event runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Activities include building RC planes, Redbird Flight Simulators, Young Eagles flights (weather permitting), hands-on experience with aviation technology, and hearing from girls and women with a passion for aviation.

“Our goal with Girls on the Fly is to introduce the next generation of girls to the wonders of aviation,” said Cindi Pokorny, Educator in EAA’s Youth Education Center. “Being able to offer hands-on activities and the chance to interact with women who share a passion for aviation is a great way for girls to determine if aviation is the right path for them as a hobby or career.”

Girls on the Fly is supported by Air Wisconsin Airlines, DATC, and FliteTest. Online pre-registration is required, and is limited to 48 attendees. Lunch will also be served for free. More information on the event can be found at EAA.org/GirlsOnTheFly.

The Oshkosh Police Department and Oshkosh Fire Department investigated a suspicious situation that occurred in the 200 Block of N. Eagle St in the City of Oshkosh.

On 03/13/2023 at 10:32 AM, Officers and Firefighters received information that there was a piece of mail at that location with a white powdered substance in it.

The Hazardous Materials Teams from the Oshkosh Fire Department and Appleton Fire Department responded to the location and tested the substance. It was determined to be a non-hazardous material.

The investigation is still on going at this time.

GO Transit, the public transportation service in the Greater Oshkosh area in partnership with Winnebago County, is excited to launch GO Connect, its new microtransit service on April 3. GO Connect will replace intercity Route 10, which ends April 1, by providing a flexible ride-scheduling service that will transport riders between the Oshkosh Downtown Transit Center located at 926 Dempsey Trail (map) and the Neenah Transit Center located at the corner of E Doty Ave. and Walnut St. (map).

“We are joining a number of city transportation systems that have been creating microtransits to respond to changes in riders’ travel needs,” explained Steven Tomasik, Go Transit operations manager. “With this service, we offer more freedom to passengers that regularly travel between Oshkosh and the Fox Valley for work, school, medical appointments or other reasons. They can schedule service whenever they need it and can have peace of mind, knowing that they will be provided with a safe, customer-oriented ride that will get them to the Neenah Transit Center and back to Oshkosh or vice versa.”

GO Connect will run Monday through Saturday from 6:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Riders can schedule rides up to a week in advance, but no later than 4:30 p.m. a day before the rides are needed. Both the initial trip and returning trip must be scheduled. To schedule a trip, riders will need to call City Cab, GO Connect’s vendor, at 920-235-7001. To ensure the best possible transportation experience for all passengers, it is important that non-ambulatory riders with mobility devices requiring an ADA-accessible vehicle with a ramp specify their needs when scheduling rides.

Cabs may show up 15 minutes before or after your scheduled time, this is considered a grace period. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, riders should plan ahead and schedule a time when you can guarantee your presence.

The cost of each one-way trip will be $5. Riders can pay through the Token Transit app or with exact cash fare, as drivers will not be able to provide change.

GO Connect is a pilot program, launching on April 3 and running through March 30, 2024. If it is successful, the service may continue indefinitely. To learn more about GO Transit’s services visit oshkoshtransit.com.

Oshkosh Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation has filed a formal bid protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the U.S. Army’s recent award decision with respect to the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Follow-On Contract.

The independent GAO review of the procurement decision was initiated by Oshkosh on March 6, 2023.“After participating in the government’s post-award debriefing process, we have significant concerns regarding the evaluation of the proposals under the solicitation that support an independent review,” said Tim Bleck, executive vice president Oshkosh Corporation and president Oshkosh Defense.“We believe the Government’s evaluation did not properly review the financial, technical, and manufacturing capabilities offered to select the best value and lowest risk solution to deliver the JLTV.”As the incumbent manufacturer and original designer of the JLTV platform, only Oshkosh’s proposal leveraged substantial JLTV experience and proven JLTV production infrastructure, while providing best-in-class upgrades to the JLTV platform.

Mid-Morning Kiwanis of Oshkosh delivered on its mission to serve the children of our community with its largest distribution to date of socks and underwear for students in Oshkosh schools.

This is the sixth year for Project Undercover, which provides socks and underwear to local schools for children in need. What started as a small project serving two schools has grown to include every school in the Oshkosh Area School District. This year’s delivery to 23 schools in late January included 13,000 pairs of underwear and 7,000 pairs of socks – total value $15,000.

The club works with social workers in the Oshkosh Area School District to determine the items each school needs and collaborates with Jake’s Network of Hope, a non-profit organization in Neenah that distributes hygiene and other daily living products, to secure the items. Kiwanis members spent an afternoon at the Jake’s warehouse in December boxing up packages of socks and underwear for each school.

“This has become a labor of love for club members,” said Art Rathjen, former club president and lead coordinator for Project Undercover. “From raising funds, to packing up thousands of items, to making deliveries to schools, our club has stepped up to make sure this project serves as many kids as possible.”

District staff say that meeting this type of basic need for students has a significant impact on their well-being and breaks down barriers to learning.

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“Project Undercover is such an amazing program that reaches so many students,” said Becky Holmes, a social worker in the district. “We want students and families to have their basic needs met so they can focus on learning and be successful in school.”

The club’s successful NEW Top Dog fundraiser was a major factor in the club expanding Project Undercover in 2022 and 2023. In addition to funds from Top Dog and the Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis Foundation Inc., Project Undercover received community support, with donations from the West Side Business Association, Oshkosh Herald, Payton Gorr at Fox Valley Apparel, Teele At Studio24 Salon and Tina Bartram.

In addition to Project Undercover, Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to local teachers for innovative classroom projects; donated more than 100 iPads to local children with Autism; helped to fund healthy snacks for students in local schools; and supported numerous other local programs that benefit children.

Anyone interested in contributing to Kiwanis projects or learning more about the group should visit oshkoshkiwanis.org.

Gov. Evers visited to UW Oshkosh Thursday, where he toured Donner and Taylor Residence Halls. The governor is recommending an investment of $57.6 million to renovate Donner Hall, built in 1962, and the connected Webster Hall, built in 1957, to better serve students living there. He also stopped at the Gruenhagen Conference Center, which the governor is recommending an investment of $20.4 million to replace the building’s failing plumbing infrastructure.

One of the most emotional and poignant moments of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each year will return in 2023 as 100 Vietnam War vets will take a Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on July 28 as part of AirVenture’s annual salute to veterans. The 70th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Veterans from the Vietnam War will be honored as they travel to the nation’s capital to tour war memorials at no cost to them. The veterans will return to Oshkosh at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon air show and thousands of people will welcome them back home and give them the recognition they deserve.

“The Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is traditionally one of the best events of AirVenture week and this year is fitting as part of our ‘Vietnam Remembered: 50 Years Later’ schedule of activities,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming. “We are proud to produce an event that honors what Vietnam veterans did for this country and be able to provide them an experience of a lifetime.”

This is the ninth year that the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight has originated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh under the auspices of Old Glory Honor Flight of Appleton, Wisconsin. That non-profit organization has organized dozens of Honor Flights since 2009 with a dedicated group of volunteers. Those flights have included special flights to Pearl Harbor and to VietAmerican Airlines is again supplying an aircraft for the flight, which is flown by an all-volunteer crew of American Airlines pilots and cabin attendants.

Old Glory Honor Flight will be inviting veterans who are currently on their waitlist. More information about Old Glory Honor Flight or if you would like to donate to the organization.

UPDATE: The family of Nina Anderson is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to her safe return. Individuals with information about Nina Anderson’s whereabouts can contact Detective Krueger at 920-236-5733.

The annual Oshkosh State of the City Address and Awards Program will return to in-person format on Monday, March 13th. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m., with the program getting underway at 6:30 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 North Main Street. The event also includes the City Exhibit Expo, which provides the public with an opportunity to learn more about city departments and services, and to connect with elected officials and city staff. The event is free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required.

City Manager Mark Rohloff will highlight Oshkosh’s progress, and look at what’s to come later in 2023 in his State of the City Address. This year’s program focuses on re-engaging with the community and celebrating community partnerships. The event will begin with an introduction by Mayor Lori Palmeri, and a presentation by Oshkosh Poet Laureate Thomas Cannon.

Following the Address, the Community Partnership Awards and Citizen Service Awards will be presented by Mayor Lori Palmeri and Oshkosh Common Council members. The Community Partnership Awards recognize organizations that have enriched the quality of life in Oshkosh through initiatives, programs and support. The Citizen Service Awards honor individuals who have achieved various five-year milestones serving on city boards and commissions.

The State of the City program will also be available for viewing later on Oshkosh Media Gov TV, and on the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel. For more information contact Andy Radig, Communications Coordinator, at (920) 236-5269.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region announces a high-level, fixed bridge on a partially offset alignment as the preferred design alternative in the ongoing Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge Environmental Study. The study was launched to address noted deficiencies in the aging structure.

WisDOT chose Alternative 4M – High-level fixed partial offset (revised for business access), after years of coordination and outreach with stakeholder groups, businesses, industry, the public and city leaders.

This was the general approach adopted by the Common Council last summer, with the understanding that some details needed to be worked out by adjoining property owners.

“It’s through this collaborative process of sharing concerns and comments that we were able to come to a consensus on a structure that will meet the needs of Oshkosh for decades to come,” said Tom Buchholz, WisDOT Northeast Region Director. “I’d like to thank the residents and leaders of Oshkosh for all their time and effort devoted to this important design decision.”

The high-level, fixed bridge on a partially offset alignment was chosen among dozens of alternatives provided to the public for comment. It will maintain safe access and passage for all users including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, persons with disabilities, and waterway users, and meet the transportation needs of the city.

Alternative M4 benefits

WisDOT initiated a study in 2015 to develop and evaluate a range of potential Fox River crossing alternatives that would address the nearly 70-year-old structure as it nears the end of its service life. The study paused in late 2017 and resumed in 2021. While the bridge is safe and structurally sound, regular inspections have confirmed that maintenance operations will only extend the bridge life a limited number of years and replacement is needed.

To review comprehensive details of the bridge study, see current bridge deficiencies noted in inspections, and view displays, renderings, maps, and exhibits of the preferred alternative and the other alternatives considered, please visit the Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge Design Study website at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/oshkoshbr/default.aspx/

WisDOT plans to submit a draft environmental document for review this summer to the Federal Highway Administration. Environmental approvals are anticipated in 2024 and design will continue through 2027. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2028. Future public meetings will be scheduled to present design refinements, real estate needs, construction elements, possible traffic impacts, and information for businesses impacted by roadway closures.

Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading innovator of purpose-built vehicles and equipment, is pleased to announce that it has engineered and produced North America’s first fully integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle, creating a new category and bringing advanced technology to the refuse industry.

Traditional refuse vehicles require the mounting of a refuse collection body to a third-party chassis. The new Oshkosh integrated refuse collector has been designed from the ground up to offer customers a single original equipment manufacturer (OEM) electric vehicle (EV) solution.

“Entry into new product categories is a crucial element of our “Innovate. Serve. Advance.” growth strategy,” said John Pfeifer, president and chief executive officer of Oshkosh Corporation. “With a deep heritage in the design and manufacture of purpose-built, heavy-duty trucks coupled with field-proven refuse body technology, Oshkosh is uniquely positioned to develop this integrated vehicle. Our vast innovation capabilities are evident in every aspect of this first-of-its-kind product.”

Oshkosh leaned into its nearly 30 years of electrification expertise to bring its latest vehicle to market. This electrified refuse collector features a sophisticated drivetrain that includes advanced lithium-ion batteries and a revolutionary electric-axle system. The vehicle will enable a full day’s refuse collection on a single charge with zero emissions. It was designed to minimize environmental impact and reduce noise in communities around the world, while helping customers meet their sustainability initiatives.

“When Oshkosh engineers began this project, they put both the customer and user experiences at the center of our design,” said Pfeifer. “For the buyer, chassis selection and integration are eliminated. For the driver, active safety systems, performance technologies and ergonomic features deliver best-in-class safety, comfort and productivity. And for the technician, intelligent, connected systems reduce routine service and enable condition-based maintenance.”

Manufacturing of Oshkosh’s integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle will leverage several Oshkosh facilities, including a new, state-of-the-art plant in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Product prototype testing on designated routes will be completed in 2023, with customer deliveries starting in 2024.

Three Oshkosh breweries will collaborate once again for Oshkosh Craft Beer Week event Thursday, March 30 – Saturday, April 8.

This 10 day celebration of craft beer highlights three awesome breweries that call Oshkosh home. Oshkosh Craft Beer Week is an epic collaboration between Bare Bones Brewery, Fifth Ward Brewing Company, and Fox River Brewing Company.

These three Oshkosh breweries have once again teamed up to brew a special Oshkosh collaboration beer called City Wide. ‘City Wide Tropical Blonde Ale – A Collaboration brew between the three breweries that call Oshkosh Home, we hopped this summery blonde ale with juicy Mosaic hops and fermented it with Helio Gazer yeast resulting in tropical fruit notes of guava, passionfruit and mango, without the addition fruit!’

The three breweries will come together to brew the City Wide beer on Friday, February 24th at 10 a.m. at Bare Bones Brewery in Oshkosh.

City Wide will be featured on tap at all three breweries as well as offered canned at many localarea restaurants, bars, and businesses.

Learn more about Oshkosh Craft Beer Week participating businesses and specials atDiscoverOshkosh.com

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently looking for a missing person, Nina Anderson.

On 02/20/2023 at approximately 08:44 AM, the Oshkosh Police Department was notified of a missing female. The missing individual, Nina Anderson, is described as a 36 year old Caucasian female who is 5’5” tall, 156 pounds with Brown hair and Green eyes. Her photo is attached with this Media Release.

She was last seen on 02/18/2023 at approximately 11:00 PM at her residence, in the 800 Block of Minnesota St. She was wearing a dark colored sweatshirt, black yoga pants and had a light blue and pink colored purse. Her disappearance does not seem suspicious at this time.

If anybody has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3 App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip; or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org. If your tip leads to an arrest, you maybe eligible for a cash reward.

On 02/18/23 around 1:20 pm, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office was requested by family members to respond to an area of Lake Poygan near Noffke’s Landing on CTH B. It was reported that a man who had been fishing in the area was currently unaccounted for, along with his ATV, and his family was concerned and was looking for assistance.

Based upon the information we gathered, resources were summoned to respond to the area to help search Lake Poygan for the missing fisherman. The Winneconne Poygan Fire District, Poy Sippi Fire Department, Boom Bay Fire Department, and Omro Rushford Fire Department all responded with airboats, ATVs, utility vehicles, personnel, and other equipment. Members of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit, Oshkosh Fire Department Med Unit paramedics, and the Wisconsin DNR all responded to assist with the search. Thedastar was requested, and Winnebago County Emergency Management was involved and in contact with Wisconsin Emergency Management and Civil Air Patrol for an additional aerial and drone response.

Tragically, the fisherman was located deceased, in open water, near the area of Captain’s Cove by members of the Poy Sippi Fire Department around 3:10 pm.

The fisherman is identified as a 56 year old man from Illinois.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased fisherman during this very sad time.

No further information will be released at this time.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a stabbing that occurred at a residence located in the 500 Block of Jefferson Street in the City of Oshkosh.

On 02/18/2023 at approximately 7:56 AM, Officers from the Oshkosh Police Department were dispatched to a weapons call in the 500 Block of Jefferson Street. They received information that a male had been stabbed multiple times by a female. This male was transported to a local hospital due to injuries sustained during this altercation and is expected to survive.

The male and female are known to each other and this appears to be an isolated incident. The 21 year old female from Oshkosh was ultimately taken into custody.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Artus at the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; orthrough the P3 App.

Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) is getting a new home and plans to move into the space in April. The current OAUW office at 21 W. New York Ave., once Oshkosh Fire House #8, was sold in 2022.

“This unique and historic office has served us well the past five years, but we look forward to the new location which will increase visibility in the heart of Downtown Oshkosh and our connections to the community,” said OAUW Board of Directors Chair Amy Sitter.

The agency is moving to the upper level of what originally was Oshkosh Savings and Loan at 16 Washington Avenue. OAUW’s work environment and needs continue to change, making this a fantasticopportunity to find a more suitable space.

“United Way has been a cornerstone for our community for 60 years. This was the perfect time for our organization to find a new home that will allow for continued growth and service,” said United Way CEOand President Beth Oswald. “The new location will have both the meeting and storage space our organization needs to continue to serve the area programs and community.”

The new space will enable United Way to continue in its work to improve lives by inspiring and uniting Oshkosh and surrounding area residents to improve access to early childhood education, mentalhealth, and financial stability.

The city of Oshkosh is seeking five to seven individuals from diverse backgrounds to serve on an Ad Hoc Committee to provide input for the final appearance of the reconstructed clearwell structures and landscape at the Water Filtration Plant (WFP) located at 425 Lake Shore Drive, Oshkosh. The city of Oshkosh must replace its current century-old underground treated drinking water storage clearwell tanks with above-grade structures that meet current regulations requirements. The new structures will be at-grade rectangular cast-in-place concrete tanks with new intermediate and high-lift pump stations.

This Ad Hoc Committee will be briefed by City staff and Jacobs Engineering on the issues and regulatory requirements related to the proposed work. The Ad Hoc Committee has been given five specific tasks:

1) Provide a recommendation for the architectural finishes of the proposed clearwell tanks and pump houses on the WFP site.2) Provide recommendation for landscaping and planting WFP onsite areas along the right-of-ways of Lake Shore Drive, Washington Avenue, and Merritt Avenue.3) Provide recommendation for landscaping and planting the Park area east of Lake Shore Drive.4) Provide recommendation for landscaping and improvements to the right-of-ways adjacent to the WFP site.5) Provide a recommendation on how to incorporate educational and/or historical elements relating to water into the final project.

Individuals interested in serving on the Ad Hoc Committee must submit applications or a letter of interest and be appointed by the Mayor. The group is expected to finish their work by August 1, 2023. Applications are available on the City’s website at https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/BoardsAndCommissions/. Residents with questions about this committee may contact the City Manager’s office by phone at (920) 236-5002 or by email at [email protected].

A reunion of the Chance Vought F4U Corsair aircraft, the unique gullwing fighter aircraft best known for its exploits off U.S. aircraft carriers, will be among the warbird highlights at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023. The 70th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“With only about two dozen flying examples of the Corsair remaining in North America, the opportunity to bring together the largest-possible group of these unforgettable aircraft at Oshkosh was one we had to organize,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This airplane recently marked the 80th anniversary of its introduction to the U.S. military and remains a favorite warbird among many enthusiasts. Our goal is to create a memorable program with several activities that feature the Corsairs on ground display and in the air.”

Corsair owners are encouraged to join this unique reunion by contacting Chris Henry at the EAA Aviation Museum ([email protected]) for further details and registration information.

The Corsair received heightened attention at the end of 2022 with the release of the major motion picture “Devotion,” which recognized the Korean War exploits of Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Hudner and his wingman Jesse Brown, the first Black U.S. naval aviator. That movie will be played during AirVenture at the event’s Fly-In Theater, with descendants of the Brown and Hudner families invited to participate.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to visit the newly opened Corsair display inside the EAA Aviation Museum, which is open to all attendees as part of their AirVenture admission. The exhibit honors both Brown and Hudner, including a Corsair flown by Hudner on his subsequent deployments in the early 1950s and painted with his VF-32 squadron markings.

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was first flown in 1940 and introduced to the U.S. military on December 28, 1942. Its unique gullwing design came as a way to allow use of the powerful Pratt & Whitney R2800 Double Wasp engine and allow shorter, more rugged landing gear for use as a carrier-based aircraft. With those attributes and a top speed of more than 450 miles per hour, the aircraft became renowned as a naval aviation fighter and in support of ground forces.

On Wednesday, March 1, the Oshkosh community will come together for 24 hours of giving to support the amazing work of teachers and students in the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD). The Foundation is pleased to announce a $1,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor, which means that supporters have the opportunity to double their donations by participating in this special fundraising campaign. The OASD Education Foundation is looking to raise a total of $5,000.

Give Education Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event being held to benefit OASD students, teachers, and staff. All funds raised will be used to make the following projects a reality in the next school year:

To donate to the Foundation’s Give Education Day campaign visit https://www.give-education.com/organization/Oasd-Education-Foundation. Safe and secure donations can be made at any time now through midnight on Wednesday, March 1. Additional updates and reminders have been shared and will continue to be on the OASD Education Foundation’s Facebook page during the 24-hour fundraising campaign to capitalize on this exciting giving opportunity.

“Give Education Day provides a terrific opportunity for us to come together as a community to support our students, teachers, and schools,” stated Theresa Duren, OASD Education Foundation Director.

The OASD Education Foundation engages the community in supporting Oshkosh public schools and is committed to providing resources for innovation, fine arts, athletics, and other resources to enhance students’ lives. The OASD Education Foundation funds are managed by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. For more information or to make a donation, contact Theresa Duren at [email protected] or 920.424.0395. Additional information is available at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation.

After Governor Tony Evers delivered his 2023-25 biennial budget address, highlighting his fundingpriorities for Wisconsin. Rep. Palmeri released the following statement:“Tonight, I heard Governor Evers’ plan for the 2023-25 biennial budget. The hard work of the Evers’ administration over the years has landed Wisconsin in the strongest financial position in our states history, with a record breaking $7.1 billion surplus,” stated Rep. Palmeri.

“Governor Evers has shown throughout his tenure that he listens to the people of Wisconsin, and tonight was no different. With investments in general and categorical aids for public schools, plans to bolster sustainable industries like clean energy and forestry and sending 20% of the state’s sales tax revenue back to local communities for shared revenue; it is safe to say Governor Evers’ plan for Wisconsin will make our state a better place to live and work.

“Education is one of the most valuable tools we can give our children. By properly funding our public schools, we are making an investment in the children of Wisconsin, who will go on to become the leaders of this state. That is why Governor Evers is proposing a $2.6 billion investment in public schools and a historic investment in special education. This funding will go toward improving reading and literacy outcomes, expanding access to student mental health services and school nutrition, providing financial literacy and out-of-school programming, addressing educator staffing shortages to help keep class sizes small, and increasing per pupil and special education aids.

“Governor Evers also announced programs to continue bolstering the economy like the Affordable Workforce Housing program that will invest $150 million into local communities to maintain and develop workforce housing across our state. He also announced a $22 million investment in the Child Care Counts initiative to ensure that working families have access to affordable childcare and paid family and medical leave for 12 weeks. Housing, childcare, and paid family and medical leave are vital to ensuring that Wisconsin both attracts and retains a healthy workforce.

“Lastly, as someone with extensive history and experience working in local government, I can attest to the fact that local communities have been struggling for years to properly fund essential services. The governor’s proposal to send 20% of Wisconsin’s sales tax back to local communities through shared revenue, will mean communities no longer need to forego essential services to make ends meet. Governor Evers’ also announced the continuation of the Neighborhood Investment Fund which provides grants to local and tribal governments to make significant investments and urban land acquisitions, something I advocated for in my budget requests.

“The plans proposed in Governor Evers’ biennial budget address tonight, make it clear that he is prioritizing what matters to Wisconsinites. These investments are aimed at making the lives of all Wisconsinites a bit easier and moving our state forward.”

If you are interested in attending one of our scheduled listening sessions regarding the 2023-25 biennial budget, you are welcome to stop by the Oshkosh Public Library on the dates and times listed below to provide feedback on the Governor’s budget priorities. I look forward to providing constituents of the 54th with a space to engage in productive and informative discussions about what matters most to them.

Date: March 8, 2023Time: 5:30-7:00PMLocation: Oshkosh Public Library106 Washington AveOshkosh, WI 54901

Date: April 12, 2023Time: 5:30-7:00PMLocation: Oshkosh Public Library106 Washington AveOshkosh, WI 54901

The stock price of Oshkosh Corp. fell 10.8% Friday, the day after its loss of the JLTV contract was announced. Shares closed at $90.31.

Here is the announcement from the Army that led to the drop:

The Army announced [Thursday] the award of a requirements contract with five base ordering years plus five one-year optional ordering periods to AM General LLC for estimated Joint and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) production of up to 20,682 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and up to 9,883 JLTV Trailers. The total contract value is $8.66 billion. This competitive follow-on production contract has been part of the JLTV acquisition strategy from the beginning and focused on a best value determination that includes retaining the capability of the JLTV today, while ensuring that it can be upgraded in the future with the latest technologies.

The JLTV follow-on contract strategy was designed to provide a fair and competitive environment, while ensuring the Army obtained a premier manufacturer that delivers the highest quality, most capable, and affordable tactical vehicle in the world.

The JLTV follow-on contract request for proposal, in accordance with the Army Climate Strategy, sought to incentivize offerors to propose fuel efficiency technologies that targeted on-the-move fuel economy improvements and anti-idle capability in support of optimizing combat effectiveness. The JLTV A2 design is the first tactical wheeled vehicle with baseline architecture utilizing lithium-ion batteries, which is a key enabler for anti-idle capability.

Effective competition is the critical element for controlling cost and maximizing buying power for the government. The JLTV engagement strategy with industry has been very successful in establishing executable timelines, adding mature technology insertions, and providing transparency throughout the process to allow contractors to make individual business decisions.

“One of the key strategies of the JLTV program from its earliest days was to leverage competition to control cost and maximize buying power for the government,” said Brig. Gen. Samuel L. “Luke” Peterson, program executive officer, Combat Support & Combat Service Support. “From the start of production, the government procured the data rights to the JLTV Technical Data Package from the original equipment manufacturer, which the program leverages to conduct future production competitions and control the platform’s configuration and vehicle price well into the future. These government-held data rights permitted the program to compete this follow-on production contract with much better control of the production configuration and cost.”

To ensure the JLTV follow-on production contract was robustly competitive, the government focused on rigorous communication with its industry partners. This consistent communication strategy included prior notifications to the current contractor that future contracts were intended to be competitive. The original JLTV contract was awarded in August 2015 to Oshkosh Defense, and the Technical Data Package option was ordered shortly thereafter.

“Our industry partners are essential to ensure we deliver critical, advanced technology and capabilities like the JLTV to our warfighters,” said Brig. Gen. David Walsh, commander of Marine Corps Systems Command. “We look forward to partnering with AM General to build upon this proven platform and ensure our warfighters have the latest in vehicle technology.”

Since August 2019, Joint Program Office JLTV actively engaged the light tactical wheeled vehicle industrial base. The feedback received from market research was instrumental in framing the acquisition plan, which was approved by the Army Acquisition Executive in November 2020. The plan:

The JLTV Family of Vehicles, an Army-led joint program with the U.S. Marine Corps, closes capability gaps in the light tactical vehicle fleets. JLTVs can perform multiple mission roles and are designed to provide protected, sustained, networked mobility for personnel and payloads across the full range of military operations. The JLTV brings increased protection and performance to the fleet; minimizes ownership costs by maximizing commonality, fuel efficiency and reliability; and maintains effective competition throughout its life cycle. Commonality of components, maintenance procedures, training, etc., between vehicles is expected to be inherent in Family of Vehicle solutions across mission variants to minimize total ownership cost.

The JLTV program has been lauded as a model of successful acquisition. It has received two David Packard for Acquisition Excellence Awards as well as Department of Defense Should-Cost and Innovation Awards.

Oshkosh’s new elementary school, which will open in the fall of 2024, will be named Menominee Elementary School. The Menominee Tribal Legislature approved the District’s request to use the Menominee name during its meeting on February 2, 2023. The Oshkosh school board previously approved the name, pending approval by the Menominee Tribal Legislature, during their January 28 Regular Meeting. Menominee was the top vote-getter in the District’s community-wide surveying process, which was used to provide guidance to the Board of Education in naming the new elementary school.

The OASD and Menominee tribal leaders are committed to developing and maintaining a collaborative relationship as part of this naming decision. The District will work closely with tribal leaders during the school’s construction process to seek insight and guidance on the school branding, colors, and mascot. Additionally, the District is excited to partner with the Tribe on future education efforts.

This is an exciting time for the entire community and its continued engagement and support is appreciated. In the coming months, students, families, and staff who will attend the new elementary school will take part in the process of choosing the school’s mascot and colors.

The new elementary school is one component of the first phase of the District’s long-range facilities plan, which received voter support through the success of the District’s 2020 capital referendum. The new elementary school will be located on the site of the current Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle School. Slated to open for the 2024-2025 school year, it will become home to students currently enrolled at Merrill, Washington, and Webster Stanley Elementary schools. Beth Galeazzi, current principal of Webster Stanley Elementary School, was named principal of the new elementary school in May 2022. Middle school students from Merrill and Webster Stanley will have previously moved to Vel Phillips Middle School which will open for the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/facilities.

TOn Thursday at 9:33 p.m. the City of Oshkosh Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at the above location. Fire crews arrived to find fire coming through the roof of a vacant two-story single-family home. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and caused extensive damage to a portion of the roof and the second level. An electrical malfunction in the attic appears to be the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported.

Please join us for a lively talk on the life of the Prophet Muhammad! We will explore some lesser-known facts about his childhood and early years, the persecution and boycott of the early Muslim community, and their subsequent migration to Medina.

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 from 5-6 PM @ UWOshkosh Culver Family Welcome Center 625 Pearl Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Refreshments will be served.

Register online:https://MOPOshkosh2023.eventbrite.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Each year the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce surveys business leaders in the area to gage confidence levels throughout the business community. This year, despite the ongoing labor and supply chain challenges, there is an immense amount of optimism.

2023 Business Outlook Survey Results

What are local business leaders anticipating in Oshkosh for 2023? That is the question we asked local CEOs, business managers and owners. While it is impossible to predict our economic future with a high degree of specificity, and despite some interesting inflationary pressures, locally Oshkosh is doing well and has a position of strength in the marketplace. This past year, employment remained strong. According to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (December 2022), the unemployment rate for Oshkosh remains below the national unemployment rate of 3.3 percent at 1.9 percent. This unemployment rate is amazing when you consider that in April 2020 the Oshkosh unemployment rate was 14.3 percent. Oshkosh-based businesses are employing more people than ever before. Local companies now employ 41,411 people in Oshkosh, up from 40,748 people last year. In 2022, we had investment in commercial and industrial property of more than $44.4 million, with over $100 million of new development anticipated for 2023.

This past year challenged the Oshkosh business community. People will look back on 2022 and remember high inflation, worker shortages, and supply chain issues. Even with these obstacles, Oshkosh continued to grow and prosper. Oshkosh continued to experience exceptional commercial growth, especially along the Oshkosh Avenue corridor with new hotels, restaurants and new office space. Our industrial sector continued to see numerous expansions, new multi-family housing growth is booming, and we continue to experience robust growth in our downtown and central city area. As we turn the page in 2023, businesses are focused on igniting the local economy and asserting their competitiveness. The year 2023 will be taking us beyond the pandemic recovery as local businesses continue to build their base.

The results of the Oshkosh Chamber’s Annual Business Outlook Survey, a barometer that we use to gauge the degree of confidence of business leaders, indicated that area CEO’s and business owners are confident heading into 2023. Overall, there is a growing degree of optimism among local CEOs and business owners with 81% of the participating CEOs rating their company’s outlook as good to excellent in the next 6 months, 88% rate the next 12 months as good to excellent and 86% rate their outlook as good to excellent in the next 1 – 3 years.

Look Back on 2022: Of the local CEOs and business owners who participated in our annual Business Outlook Survey, 74 percent reported that sales increased in 2022 over the previous year, 63 percent indicated that profits were up, and 79 percent increased wages. This past year, 47 percent of reporting companies added staff to their payrolls. In 2022, 62 percent of the respondents indicated that their companies met or exceeded profitability expectations. For those companies missing the mark on profitability expectations, they cited higher operating costs as the largest factor, followed by increased energy costs, lack of employees, and the rising cost of raw materials as the biggest causes.

Forecast 2023: When asked for their forecasts for 2023, 77 percent believe that sales will out-perform the previous year’s sales level. Overall, participating firms expect sales gains according to 59 percent of the reporting companies in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter. 70 percent of these companies expect sales to increase in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022.

55% of area CEOs expect to hire more people in 2023. While this is all very good news, business leaders report that finding qualified workers remains a challenge, with 55 percent indicating they have job openings that are unfilled. This is down from 75% in 2022, however. These employers further indicated that recruiting qualified job applicants remains a challenge, 67% indicating 4 or few job applicants per job opening and 14% indicating there were no qualified candidates.

Manufacturers plan to increase their raw material inventories in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter one year ago according to 58 percent of Oshkosh-based manufacturers. In the first quarter of 2023, 59 percent of retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers anticipate a higher volume of finished goods inventory over 2022 fourth quarter levels. These are lead indicators of an expected sales volume increase in the months to come.

In the 2023 Survey, we asked CEOs about their perception of the region and of Oshkosh. Overall, CEOs felt very positive about the Quality of Life in the region. Responding companies indicated (Strongly Agreed to Agreed) the region has excellent community institutions with 95% indicating the hospitals and health care system is good to excellent; 87% indicating the education system was second to none; and 97% believed the region has great public safety departments. Additionally, 95% of CEO’s felt very positively about our post-secondary education schools and 89% felt there were excellent local resources available for entrepreneurs.

When asked about Oshkosh, CEOs again felt very positive (good to excellent) about the community, with 95% indicating that Oshkosh is a great place for raising a family and 92% indicating that Oshkosh is on the right track. Further, 95% believed Oshkosh has a strong, vibrant economy; 89% thought Oshkosh was business-friendly, with 87% saying it is a great place to start a business.

While optimism remains high, only 42% of the responding CEOs indicated that the State of Wisconsin is headed in the right direction, up from 36% in 2022. Only 31% indicated the US is heading in the right direction in terms of the business climate, but up from 22% in 2022.

Local CEOs stated the top public policy issues facing Wisconsin are the labor shortage/the lack of qualified applicants and the rate of inflation. Local CEOs also said that rising material and construction costs along with supply chain issues continue to be a challenge.

CEOs, business managers and owners are probably some of the most optimistic personality types. True to form, our survey found Oshkosh business leaders inclined to be optimistic about 2023, but inflationary pressures, interest rate increases, labor shortages, and supply chain issues continue to provide some level of uncertainty. However, the severity of these threats to growth will play out over the course of the year.

Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, announced that the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal has placed an $84.9 million order for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) Family of Vehicles.

“Since winning the JLTV contract in 2015, Oshkosh has been committed to providing the U.S. Military with the most capable light tactical vehicle ever built,” said George Mansfield, Vice President and General Manager of Joint Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “Having recently completed production of the 19,000th JLTV, we are confident that Oshkosh remains the most efficient and reliable choice for producing JLTVs for many years to come.”

This order for Oshkosh Defense JLTVs is the third in two months. The three orders have a total value of $730 million and call for more than 2,000 JLTVs for nine different customers.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating an incident at Webster Stanley school (915 Hazel Street).

On February 6, 2023 at approximately 1:00 PM, a School Resource Officer was advised that earlier in the day, a student had brought a firearm to school. At the time the incident was reported, the student and the firearm were no longer at the school. Follow-up investigation located involved juveniles and the firearm.

There is currently no danger to the public and the Oshkosh Police Department is not looking for any additional individuals related to this matter. In consultation with the Oshkosh Area School District, as a precaution, there will be additional police presence at Vel Phillips Middle School – Webster Stanley Campus on Tuesday, February 7.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is announcing the retirement of two executive leaders at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, pending approval by the OASD Board of Education. Dr. Dave Gundlach, OASD Deputy Superintendent, and Dr. Andy Jones, OASD Executive Director of Administration, will retire from public education, effective June 30, 2023. Their retirements will go to the Board of Education for approval during the February 8 Regular Meeting. Gundlach and Jones have served the OASD for 13 and 12 years, respectively, and have a combined 71 years of service in public education.

“Dr. Gundlach and Dr. Jones have been tremendous assets to the Oshkosh Area School District and our community,” said Dr. Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “It has been an honor to serve alongside them and learn from them during my time in the District. Their commitment to putting students first is unparalleled and the impact they have had on the students, staff, and families of our District cannot be overstated. They have been visionary leaders, dedicated mentors, and tireless advocates for public education. We wish them the very best as they look ahead to a well-deserved retirement.”

In his role, Dr. Gundlach oversees and supports key functions of the District, including strategic planning, facilities planning, enrollment, and staffing. He assists in community outreach, engaging with organizations and individuals to build relationships and foster a shared understanding of the District’s needs and opportunities. Gundlach also oversees the District’s technology team and is responsible for guiding the District’s forward-thinking technology initiatives.

During his tenure with the OASD, Gundlach has been instrumental in making Oshkosh a future-ready school district. His leadership in the development and implementation of the OASD’s Learning without Limits initiative resulted in all OASD K-12 students having their own district-issued laptops, as well as a comprehensive and ongoing professional development plan that supports staff use of technology and integrates technology into the learning process. Gundlach provided critical leadership in partnering with the community to create the District’s long-range facilities plan, which will result in consolidated and modern schools that are more efficient, effective, and equitable. Gundlach was also instrumental in engaging with the community and fostering support for multiple referendums that have allowed the OASD to continue to provide exceptional programming, advance its community-developed strategic plan, and implement the first phase of the District’s long-range facilities plan.

In addition to his leadership in the OASD, Gundlach has an extensive volunteer resume that has regularly garnered statewide and national recognition for the District. Gundlach is actively involved in Amplify Oshkosh, an organization focused on amplifying the awareness of opportunities surrounding all aspects of technology in Oshkosh. He was previously involved in supporting the efforts of Advancing A.I. Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Education Technology Leaders (WETL), and was a member of the Wisconsin State Superintendent’s Digital Learning Advisory Council.

Prior to joining the OASD in 2010, Dr. Gundlach served as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Technology for the Menasha Joint School District where he worked for 19 years. Gundlach also served as a principal in Menasha before advancing to other leadership positions in the district. His career in education began as a biology and chemistry teacher in the Menasha, Berlin, and Elkhorn school districts.

“It has been an honor to serve Oshkosh and be a part of public education,” said Dr. Dave Gundlach, OASD Deputy Superintendent. “I would like to express my appreciation for the countless opportunities I have been given to work with so many amazing people who serve our community. I am very proud of Oshkosh and the exceptional work our staff members do every day in the service of children and families.”

As Executive Director of Administration, Dr. Andy Jones is responsible for the leadership development, support, and evaluation of school principals. He serves as a customer service resource for families and oversees the complaint and resolution process for families within the District. Jones also serves as a member of the District’s Emergency Preparedness Collaborative Operations Team (EPCOT) and provides leadership during crisis and emergency situations.

During his tenure with the OASD, Jones has provided exceptional service to leaders throughout the organization. His support of district goals and policy has positively impacted countless students, staff members, and families. Through his commitment to school safety and continuous improvement, the District’s EPCOT team has grown and continues to serve as an invaluable resource for the District and the entire community.

Jones first joined the OASD in 2011 as the principal of Oshkosh North High School. Prior to joining the OASD, Jones served as an assistant principal, principal, and dean of students in the New London, Cedarburg, and West Bend districts. His career in public education began as the director of bands for Badger Middle School in West Bend.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and be a part of such an incredible profession that is focused on doing our very best for kids,” said Dr. Andy Jones, OASD Executive Director of Administration. “Public education is a people business and it has been a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated individuals and to see the accomplishments they have achieved.”

The retirements of Dr. Gundlach and Dr. Jones will go to the school board for approval during the February 8 Regular Meeting. Later this month, the District will share additional information about the transition plan and comprehensive search process to fill these positions.

As a child, Dean Robbins fell in love with Mighty Mouse and Superman, dressing up in superhero costumes and vowing to save the world. He later realized that, even though he would never have X-ray vision or be able to fly, he could still be a superhero!

Meet Robbins and discover how the award-winning picture book author champions the stories of everyday heroes when he visits Oshkosh Public Library on Sat., Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required. Please call the Children’s Department at (920) 236-5208 or visit the library to reserve your seat.

Robbins will participate in a lively, interactive discussion about his books, featuring videos, pictures, anecdotes and a memorable dose of writing inspiration. He’ll encourage children to consider how art is a form of expression and to use their unique superpowers to make a difference.

Robbins’s picture books include Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass; Miss Paul and the President; Margaret and the Moon; The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon; Thank You, Dr. Salk!; The Fastest Girl on Earth!; Mambo Mucho Mambo!; and You Are a Star, Ruth Bader Ginsburg!

More information about Dean Robbins can be found at deanrobbins.net.

From City Manager Mark Rohloff weekly newsletter:

After the 2010 decennial census, there was discussion of the Oshkosh and Appleton urbanized areas being combined into one urbanized area and many thought this would happen with the 2020 census. If the urbanized areas were combined, it would change some of the mechanisms with which GO Transit is funded, require some funding to be shared amongst the urban areas, and add additional layersofreporting.

However on December 29, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau released its tabular list of 2020 urban areas, and Oshkosh and Appleton remain their own urbanized areas. The criteria used to define an urbanized area changed a bit from contiguous population to contiguous housing units. This change most likely played a role in the areas remaining separate. You can find the list and a description of the criteria used for determining urban areas in the 2020 decennial census by following this link: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html

The people and aircraft that participated in the Vietnam War will be remembered 50 years after the end of direct hostilities during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, which will be held July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The 70th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention will include specific programs and activities that involve the aircraft of that period, from all branches of service that were engaged during that period.

“The Vietnam era was a remarkable time for aviation innovation and development,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “It was a bridge from the early jet age to the aircraft that are still a foundational part of our armed forces. More important, this is an opportunity to recognize those who served, many of whom did not receive a grateful welcome when they returned from their service.”

The aircraft involved in the individual programs will be announced as their presence is finalized. However, the lineup will include land- and carrier-based aircraft, as well as rotorcraft that are examples of those that saw service in Vietnam. Special activities will encompass the AirVenture air shows, evening programs, Boeing Plaza and Warbirds area displays, and areas such as the Fly-In Theater and EAA Aviation Museum.

In addition, the annual Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight is scheduled to return to the schedule on Friday, July 28, focusing on Vietnam veterans departing Oshkosh for a day trip to the monuments in Washington, D.C., prior to returning at the end of that day’s air show.

Additional highlights are currently in development and will be announced in the coming weeks.

GO Transit, the public transportation service in the Greater Oshkosh area, alongside ESTHER, an interfaith social-justice non-profit focused on the Fox Valley region, is celebrating everyone’s right to public transportation in honor of Transit Equity Day.

Transit Equity Day honors the birthday of Rosa Parks, the Black woman who refused to give up her seat on a public bus during the civil rights movement.

Friday, February 3, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., leaders from ESTHER will gather at the Downtown Oshkosh Transit Center, located at 926 Dempsey Trail (map) to encourage riders to sign thank-you cards for GO Transit Drivers. Through this effort, they hope to not only show appreciation for public transit workers but encourage those who do not regularly use public transportation to take a ride with GO Transit.

“We are proud to be part of the movement that values diversity and celebrates understanding every day,” explained GO Transit operations manager, Steve Tomasik. “To know that ESTHER and the community recognize that means a lot. We are looking forward to Transit Equity Day to bring more public attention to our commitment to providing safe, reliable transportation for everyone.”

For additional information on the GO Transit Travel Training program, or to sign up, visit https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/transit/RidingTheBus/travel-training-program.aspx.

To learn more about GO Transit’s services visit oshkoshtransit.com.

Oshkosh Corp. announced Tuesday strong results for the fourth quarter, a decline in annual profits, an 11% increase in its dividend and a reorganization of two of its business units.

The company reiterated that it expects to hear this quarter about the JLTV II contract award.

“Oshkosh Corp. team members delivered a strong close to fiscal 2022 with robust sequential and year-over-year revenue and operating income growth during the fourth quarter,” said John C. Pfeifer, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief executive officer.

“Strong market fundamentals and elevated demand for our products drove high order rates in the quarter and a record backlog of more than $14 billion. We expect that robust demand will continue to support strong revenue and earnings growth in fiscal 2023 and beyond. While we continued to experience unfavorable supply chain dynamics and inflation impacts, our teams took appropriate actions to minimize and mitigate these challenges.”

The company is combining its Fire & Emergency segment and Commercial segment businesses into a new Vocational segment. “We believe the Vocational segment will also serve as a platform for further organic and inorganic growth opportunities in several important end markets,” Pfeifer said.

“We expect the Vocational segment’s revenues to grow at a high single digit compound annual growth rate to $3 billion with over 12 percent operating margins over the next few years.”

The new dividend rate is 41 cents per share.

Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) will begin construction on twenty (20) brand new T-hangar units in February 2023.

Like many GeneralAviation (GA) airports, available hangar space is extremely limited at OSH with a waiting list of 50+ aircraft owners and pilots. These T-hangars will be the first airport-owned hangars built at OSH in more than 20 years. The two 10-unit buildings will be constructed on the east ramp directly south of the intersection of Taxiway J and Taxiway E.

The project will also entail earthwork, taxi-lane construction, utility and stormwater features. Funding for the project is provided by a combination of County, State and Federal grant funding.

Each hangar unit will be sized to fit up to a light piston twin. They will have automatic bifold doors, concrete floors, and will be insulated and heated. One of the buildings will have a public restroom foruse by all tenants and visitors in the east ramp area.

As a part of the project site work, we will also be creating six shovel-ready hangar pad sites for up to 60’x60′ privately-built hangars, with electric and gas connections nearby. Lots will be available for land lease in summer 2023.

Westwood Professional Services of Appleton, WI is the design / engineering firm on this project, Cardinal Construction of Fond du Lac, WI was selected to construct the buildings and R&R Wash Materials of Ripon, WI will be performing the civil site work.

Demolition of the 50+ year old pavement and five structures that currently exist on the site will begin in February 2023, with completion of the project scheduled for late summer 2023.

Beginning February 1, the Winnebago County Health Department will offer two COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Wednesdays in Oshkosh. In the morning, Oshkosh Public Library (106 Washington Ave, Oshkosh) will host a clinic from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and, in the afternoon, the clinic at Sunnyview Expo Center (500 E County Road Y, Oshkosh) is open from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fox Crossing Fire Department in Neenah will no longer offer a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

“Vaccination continues to play an important role in preventing hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19, especially for older adults,” said Doug Gieryn, director/health officer for the Winnebago County Health Department. “We continue to encourage everyone to start their vaccination series and receive their booster when eligible; it’s not too late to start and every dose increases your protection.”

You can find the Pfizer primary vaccine series and Pfizer bivalent booster at the following local clinics:

The clinics are open to anyone six months and older and appointments are not required. Primary series and updated bivalent booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be offered. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present. The COVID-19 vaccine is free and insurance is not needed to receive it. Public health staff will be on-hand to answer any questions community members may have. To find additional vaccine locations or additional vaccine brands please visit wcvaccine.org.

For questions about COVID-19, please visit winnebagopublichealth.org or call 920-232-3026.

Oshkosh Defense, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), announced today that the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) has selected Oshkosh Defense to participate in the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) prototype Other Transaction Authority.

“As the U.S. Army’s premier provider of heavy, medium, and light tactical wheeled vehicle fleets, Oshkosh is uniquely qualified to inform the CTT requirements,” said Pat Williams, Chief Programs Officer for Oshkosh Defense. “We look forward to partnering with the U.S. Army to refine their CTT desired capabilities and ensure our Soldiers receive the capability they need and deserve.”

Oshkosh Defense designed six CTT variants, including a Load Handling System (LHS), Off-Road Tractor, Line Haul Tractor, Cargo, Wrecker, and Tanker. As part of the prototype award, Oshkosh Defense will build and deliver three variants to the U.S. Army for test and evaluation.

Oshkosh Defense will leverage the proven, battle-tested Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) platform for the CTT prototypes, ultimately providing a modernized version of the already capable FHTV. The FHTV’s flexible architecture allows it to support a multitude of missions with the ability to scale up or down with minimal change to the vehicle.

For decades, Oshkosh Defense has partnered with the U.S. Military to develop, test, and evolve advanced military and commercial technologies and integrate them onto the FHTV. The Oshkosh Defense CTT variants offer these technologies to achieve the U.S. Army’s desired capabilities of active safety, fuel demand reduction, autonomy, mission flexibility, prognostics, commonality, and superior survivability. Oshkosh Defense will also leverage the resources, expertise, and technologies of the entire Oshkosh Corporation family of companies and tailor them for stringent military applications. “We’ve been the U.S. Army’s trusted provider of tactical wheeled vehicles for nearly 50 years. We understand the complexities of the battlefield and the demands that combat can impose on the vehicle fleet. No other manufacturer can say tha,” Williams continued. “That knowledge, combined with our engineering prowess positions us to provide the most capable and cost-effective CTT.”

The city announced Friday that the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation has reached the goal of raising $300,000 to help with replanting and replacing some of the ash trees lost to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

The results of the successful fundraising efforts were described in the city manager’s newsletter:

“To help lessen the impact of future diseases to Oshkosh’s urban forest, staff will be planting at least ten different genera of trees. Staff are also making sure that all streets with trees have more than one and in most cases, more than two different genera on them. Along with diversifying the types and locations of trees, staff will be spreading the replanting out over a course of years along the streets. This assures that staff will be able to keep up with the maintenance of these newly planted trees throughout the life of the tree. It also means staff won’t be overwhelmed by having to remove all the newly planted trees at the same time some number of years from now.”

Joseph Ray has been selected to serve as the next Oshkosh West High School head football coach. Ray will lead the Wildcat football program beginning in the fall 2023 season.

Ray previously served as a defensive coordinator at Grafton High School and most recently at Hamilton High School, where he was named the 2022 Greater Metro Conference Assistant Coach of the Year. In 2021 and 2022, Ray helped secure Hamiton’s place as the Greater Metro Conference Outright Champions for the first time in school history. In 2022, Ray helped advance the team to State Semifinals in the largest classification for the first time in school history. Under his leadership, the team finished the season as first in the conference in overall defense, and the defense led the conference in rushing yards per carry allowed and passing yards per attempt allowed.

“We are excited to bring on someone of his caliber,” said Brad Jodarski, Oshkosh West activities director. “Coach Ray’s resume is filled with successes on and off the field. His ability to motivate and connect with students is incredible and we look forward to seeing his positive impact in our football program and school community.”

In addition to his on-the-field expertise, Ray demonstrates a unique ability to relate to student-athletes. His diverse skill set includes finding ways to elevate the programs he has been a part of, including developing a social media presence and a recruiting website to spotlight team members. As a coach, Ray was also responsible for improving player and family engagement through the use and development of a team app and weekly newsletter to families.

“I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to serve the community at Oshkosh West as their next head football coach,” said Joseph Ray. “It has been a very exciting process and I am eager to get started. My wife and I are grateful for all the support we have already received from the school community at West, and I look forward to using the game of football as a way to develop young adults into high-character leaders that benefit the lives of those around them. Go Wildcats!”

Ray was recommended by an interview committee. He will begin meeting with Oshkosh West football players and family members on February 1, 2023.

Ray graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education – broad field social sciences and psychology. Oshkosh West High School is committed to creating a culture for learning that engages the entire school community so that all students graduate college, career, and community ready. The school offers more than 60 different co-curricular opportunities for students ranging from Division 1 athletics to fine arts, to interest- and curriculum-based clubs. For more information visit oshkosh-west-high.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.

The following person is being released:

CHRISTOPHER J SULLIVAN M/W 05-31-1965 is be releasing onFebruary 14, 2023 to 215 Division St in the City of Oshkosh.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Oshkosh Police Crime Prevention Office at 236-5742.

Oshkosh’s new public elementary school, set to open in fall 2024, is one step closer to having a name. During its January 25 Regular Board Meeting, the Oshkosh Board of Education voted to name the new elementary school Menominee Elementary School – pending approval from the Menominee Tribal Legislature. The OASD is working with tribal leaders to continue this approval process, however, a timeline is unknown at this time.

Menominee was the top vote-getter in the District’s community-wide surveying process. The OASD worked with Bray Architects on the administration of two community-wide surveys to provide guidance to the Board of Education in naming the new elementary school. The first survey asked for recommendations on the name of the new elementary school. The top results from that survey – Jessie Jack Hooper, Menominee, Poberezny, and Webster Stanley – were selected to be part of the second survey.

The Menominee, an Algonkian-speaking people, are the only present-day tribe in Wisconsin whose origin story indicates they have always lived in Wisconsin. The City of Oshkosh is located on the ancestral homelands of the Menominee and was named after Menominee Chief Oshkosh. The new public elementary school will be located across the street from Menominee Park. Originally called North Park, the park was renamed in 1911 when Colonel John Hicks gave the City of Oshkosh a statue of Chief Oshkosh. Menominee Park stretches over 109 acres on the eastern side of stunning Lake Winnebago and is a prime spot to enjoy some of the area’s natural beauty.

The OASD is grateful for all who participated in this naming process. This is an exciting time for the entire community and its continued engagement and support is appreciated. Once the school name is official, students, families, and staff who will attend the new elementary school will take part in the process of choosing the school’s mascot and colors.

The new elementary school is one component of the first phase of the District’s long-range facilities plan, which received voter support through the success of the District’s 2020 capital referendum. The new elementary school will be located on the site of the current Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle School. Slated to open for the 2024-2025 school year, it will become home to students currently enrolled at Merrill, Washington, and Webster Stanley Elementary schools. Beth Galeazzi, current principal of Webster Stanley Elementary School, was named principal of the new elementary school in May 2022. Middle school students from Merrill and Webster Stanley will have previously moved to Vel Phillips Middle School which will open for the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/facilities.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

In compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act and the Wisconsin Business Closing and Mass Layoff Law, we are writing to provide notice that Foot Locker Corporate Services, Inc. (the “Company”) has decided to close customer care operations at our Oshkosh, Wisconsin facility. As part of the evolving omni retail environment, the Company will be centralizing its North American internal customer care team to its facility in Wausau, Wisconsin, and as a result, we are ceasing site operations at our Oshkosh, Wisconsin call center on April 28, 2023. The entire facility will be closed, all employees at the facility will be affected, and this closure is expected to be permanent.

There will be a total of 97 employees affected by this planned action at the employment site, located at 600 City Center, Oshkosh, WI 54901. The first layoff is scheduled to occur on April 28, 2023 and is expected to affect 95 employees. Two additional employees will be retained until May 31, 2023 to assist with site closure.

We have provided the appropriate notice to all of the workers who will be affected, including the contact information for the local workforce development board serving their worksite area. The affected workers are non-union employees, and bumping rights do not exist. Please see the attached Exhibit A containing the job titles of positions to be affected by this closure and the number of affected employees in each job classification.

Should you wish further information, please contact Sonu Ray at 917-658-2746,

[email protected]. Sincerely,/s/ Sonu RaySonu Ray

Associate General Counsel

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information willenhance public safety.

The following person is being released:

TERRANCE L. THOMPSON M/B 09-04-1968 may possibly be releasing as HOMELESS (unknown exact release location) on January 28, 2023 in the City of Oshkosh.

Today, Governor Tony Evers delivered his fifth State of the State Address in the Wisconsin State Capitol, where he highlighted his administration’s work over the past four years and his plans for the next four. Rep. Palmeri released the following statement:

“Tonight, I heard Governor Evers’ plan for the state of Wisconsin over the next four years. I am happy tosay Governor Evers has kept middle class working families at the forefront of his fiscal policy. This includes making sure local communities have the resources they need to meet basic and unique needsalike, announcing a potential budget provision that will send a total of up to 20% of the state’s sales taxrevenue back to local communities for shared revenue,” stated Rep. Palmeri.

“One resource all communities require are jobs. At the heart of every community are the people andbusinesses that make Wisconsin unique. Governor Evers recognized the importance of keeping localbusinesses alive over the past two years by investing in the Main Street Bounce Back Program. The 54thAssembly District alone had over 100 businesses that received grants, allowing entrepreneurs in ourcommunity to continue providing jobs and services.

“Governor Evers is also looking out for our children’s future, promising an investment in over $20million in recruiting, developing, and retaining teachers and student teachers. He also announced they are going to make the “Get Kids Ahead” program permanent, along with investing an overall $500 million to expand mental and behavioral health services for Wisconsinites. Lastly, Gov. Evers proposed investingmore than $100 million to confront PFAS across the state. All of these investments prioritize ourchildren’s future educationally, mentally, and environmentally.

“While there is a lot of work ahead of us, the Evers’ administration is primed to make responsible, partnerled decisions that will create long lasting solutions to the issues that matter most to Wisconsinites. Let’sget to work!”

The Oshkosh Public Museum is excited to announce the next phase in the complete transformation of its second-floor gallery spaces.

The Museum will continue to serve the Oshkosh and Lake Winnebago Region community throughout this exciting time of transformation during 2023. Strategizing for the second-floor transformation began in 2018, the first phases of which were the closure of the Paine Lumber Model in 2019 and the official opening of the Menominee Clans Story in 2021.

“We are excited to announce that our newest long-term exhibition This Is Winnebagoland will open to visitors on April 1, 2023,” says Museum Director Sarah Phillips, “Other Museum spaces will remain open and accessible to welcome visitors this year. We will continue to host field trips from The Oshkosh Area School District and other neighboring districts as they explore People of the Waters, the Menominee Clans Story, and the Historic Sawyer Home.”

Longstanding spaces, full of Memories & Dreams will close on April 3, 2023. Closures will include the temporary exhibition space, Memories & Dreams, including Grandma’s Attic, the Pioneer Log Cabin, and the Civil War and labor history exhibition sections. These spaces will remain open to visitors through Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Following the closures, Museum Curators will be carefully returning artifacts to safe storage, in a months-long process. Construction will begin mid-year to strengthen our building’s capacity to welcome many years of traveling exhibitions from around the country and showcase items within our collection. A new, flexible temporary exhibition space will be unveiled in 2024.

The Oshkosh Public Museum is currently planning its suite of programming and events for 2023. These will include the second-annual Día de los Muertos Celebration on Saturday, October 28, 2023, and the continuation of the monthly Family Discovery Days program every second Saturday 11 am – 2 pm.

“Now is the time to celebrate the thousands of lives touched by these longstanding spaces, but also to welcome the countless possibilities a new space will bring,” reflects Phillips, “This new space, and the exhibitions it will welcome, will offer new opportunities for discovery, connection, and inspiration for years to come.”

Today, Assembly Democrats gathered to affirm our commitment to repealing Wisconsin’s antiquated abortion ban. Rep. Palmeri released the following statement:

“As we observe what would have been the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are forced to face the current state of reproductive rights in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Wisconsinites are not being given thechance to use their voice at the ballot box,” stated Rep. Palmeri.

“Everyone in the state of Wisconsin deserves to have control over their own personal healthcare decisions, and to make those decisions with licensed physicians, not out of touch politicians. Wisconsinites are entitled to safe, legal, and private health decisions.

“Today, I along with my Democratic colleagues, reaffirmed our commitment to restoring the rights thatwere taken away from Wisconsinites last summer. We will not back down until every person has accessto comprehensive reproductive care and the right to bodily autonomy in this state.”

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating an animal complaint in which a deceased dog was located in the 3900 block of Oregon Street in the City of Oshkosh.

Earlier today at approximately 8:19AM, Officers were dispatched to a multi-tenant property located in the 3900 block of Oregon St. Staff from the property management company called the Oshkosh Police Department to report that they had located a deceased dog inside of a dumpster.

The dog is described as a female, tan in color, possibly a Terrier mix. At this time, officers are trying to identify the owner of the dog.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477; or throughthe P3 App.

Nicole Klitzkeis a registered nurse at Aurora Medical Center–Oshkosh who is dedicated to education and providing compassionate care. She was selected as a 2022 Nurse of the Year for her exemplary demonstration of Aurora Health Care’s core nursing values and unwavering delivery of exceptional nursing care.

Nicole is known for her genuine kind-heartedness. She exudes unmatched positivity and her optimism is contagious among her colleagues. This enthusiasm is demonstrated in Nicole’s commitment to nursing. She volunteers to coach several entry-level nurses to help them grow into confident and courageous nurses who can make critical decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Along with teaching, Nicole prioritizes learning to hone her skills and organizational involvement by taking part in the ExCEL (Excellence in Career Engagement & Learning) program.

“Nicole’s eagerness to educate others and herself demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to lifelong learning,” says Shane Carter, chief nursing officer at Aurora Medical Center – Oshkosh. “In two short years, Nicole quickly transformed from a young nurse into a knowledgeable, accountable leader who champions the practice of nursing.”

Over 750 nominations for this premier award were received on behalf of nurses from a variety of specialties across the patient care continuum. These frontline nurses represent diversity in their backgrounds and experiences, including honorees with decades of experience and others new to the profession yet already making an impact on their patients, colleagues and communities.

Nominations were submitted by clinicians and team members and reviewed by peer committees for blinded judging according to each nominee’s passion for patient care, commitment to service, solution-oriented abilities and evidence-based practice.

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce and Ascension Mercy Hospital are excited to recognize the award recipients of this year’s Annual Meeting.

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce’s 115th Annual Meeting took place on Thursday, January 19 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of the chamber over the past year, 10 individuals were recognized for their contributions to both the Oshkosh Chamber and the community.

Tamara Mugerauer received a Milestone Award for celebrating 25 years in business in the year 2022. The Oshkosh Chamber is proud to have played a small part in Tamara the Cake Guru’s success through assistance from the Chamber’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) as she was growing her business.

Brian Foote received the Outstanding Chamber Volunteer Award, which recognizes an individual or organization that has been dedicated to serving the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. Foote is a Software Development Instructor at Fox Valley Technical College and was recognized for his contributions of time and talent to the Amplify Oshkosh Digital Technology Consortium. In addition to being an educator, Foote owns his own IT consulting business. His knowledge and experience have made him a valued member of the Amplify Consortium Board since 2014 as well as a member of the Amplify Marketing and Events committee, member of the founding IT Cluster Committee and current Chair of the Amplify Website and Social Media Committee. Foote also donates his time as a volunteer at almost every Amplify event, totaling almost 60 events since 2014.

Dan Brosman received the Propel Young Professional of the Year Award, which is given to an individual between the ages of 21 and 40 who is making a difference in our community. Brosman is the Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and has made significant contributions to Propel Young Professionals. He played an integral role in helping to establish the partnership with UWO for the Professional Development series that was launched in 2022. He also uses his skills to refresh and maintain the Propel website and is actively involved in the YP community. Brosman is an entrepreneur himself as owner of the Oshkosh Pedal Trolley, which has been a great addition to Oshkosh and our downtown area. Through his ventures, he demonstrates leadership and is an inspiration to Oshkosh’s future leaders and entrepreneurs.

Dianna Stiefvater received the Ambassador of the Year Award, which is given to a Chamber Ambassador who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, service and leadership to help advance the mission of the Oshkosh Chamber. Dianna Stiefvater moved to Oshkosh to attend college in 1996 and has been making a difference in our community ever since. She became an Ambassador in October of 2017 and has been an asset to the group through her positivity and involvement. As an Ambassador, Stiefvater enjoys making connections and lifting up the business community. She enjoys welcoming and celebrating businesses through ribbon cuttings, but her favorite Chamber event is the Business Expo where she and her co-worker, Kari, receive awards year after year for best themed booth. Dianna recently celebrated her 20- year anniversary with Fletcher Chiropractic and has owned Barley & Hops with her husband Nate since 2001.

Mike Floyd and Scott Sitter received the Distinguished Service Award, which is given to honor the dedicated leadership of a retiring Chamber Board Member and specifically Chairman of the Board. Mike Floyd, President of Girbau North America, is a respected figure within the Oshkosh business community. Floyd has also been a long-time Chamber supporter through serving as a

Chamber Board member for nine years (2010-2019), an Executive Committee member for three years (2013-2016), an Accreditation Committee member and as Board Chairman in 2014 and 2015. He is one of the select few Chamber Board Chairs ever to serve a two-year Board Chair term. Currently, Floyd is a member of the Oshkosh Chamber’s Economic Development Advisory Council.

Long-time President and CEO of Choice Bank Oshkosh and highly respected member of the Oshkosh banking community, Scott Sitter has been a dedicated Oshkosh Chamber supporter. In addition to serving as Board Chairman in 2017, Sitter was a Chamber Board member for nine years (2013-2022), an Executive Committee member for three years (2015-2018) and served as an Accreditation Committee member and Leadership Oshkosh Steering Committee member. Currently, Sitter is a member of the Oshkosh Chamber’s Economic Development Advisory Council.

Dale Feinauer received the Lynne Webster Leadership Award, which is presented in memory of Lynne Webster, a woman who exemplified a commitment to Oshkosh like no other. Feinauer is the Assistant Dean of the School of Business at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh with a Ph.D. in Labor & Human Resource Management. He was recognized for his commitment to the Leadership Oshkosh program. Feinauer has been inspiring 100’s of budding community leaders for over 15 years. His business acumen comes from years of consulting with dozens of family owned and corporate businesses in navigating through complex business issues while also serving on non-profit boards such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Evergreen, and the Omro School board.

Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh received the Alberta S. Kimball Community Service Award, which is given to an individual or organization that has made a significant impact on the Oshkosh Community. The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh has served its community for over 50 years by keeping to its mission of improving the lives of children and families. The Club serves about 1,800 children each year through direct service and is one of the largest agencies in Oshkosh that provides basic needs to Club members and their families with onsite showers, clothing, and hygiene products, back to school support, rental and bill assistance, meals, mental health services and more.

The number of kids the Club serves has been growing and its building is at capacity. Because of this, the Club has begun a 5-part expansion. This includes more program space for elementary and middle school age children and a new building with a new teen space, and a community center space where other local agencies can collaborate to better serve those who need us most in Oshkosh. With this expansion, the Club will be able to serve an additional 150 youth daily with the potential to improve the lives of many more children and families in our community.

T.J. Rodgers received the Horizon Award, which is given to a person or organization with a clear and distinctive vision of the future for Oshkosh. Oshkosh native, Thurman John “T.J.” Rodgers, was a founder of Cypress Semiconductor Corporation when it was incorporated on December 1, 1982 and served 34 years as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure, Rodgers raised $4.46 billion from investors, built Cypress to 7,500 employees and $1.8 billion in revenue. Rodgers received 17 U.S. patents while at Cypress and was inducted into the Silicon Valley Hall of Fame. These are just some of the many professional accomplishments of T.J. Rodgers.

Rodgers is an incredibly successful businessman doing extraordinary things for the Oshkosh community. He single-handedly made Oshkosh a place where people want to live, work and play. Rodgers owns TJ’s Harbor Restaurant, the Oshkosh Country Club, TJ’s Highland Steakhouse and is keeping the tradition alive with Ardy & Ed’s. He also owns TJ’s Destination Oshkosh (10 vacation homes), Kalbus Campground/RV Park, A Field of Dreams (for dog lovers), The Highland Farm and has exciting plans to transform the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern building. He is also constructing a Tiny House Village, made up of 32 homes, which provides short term, affordable housing for families paired with life, home management and financial skills.

Lapham-Hickey Steel received the Enterprise of the Year Award, which recognizes a local business that continues to grow and provide our community with a significant and consistent number of jobs and support. Founded in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, Lapham-Hickey Steel is a 4th generation-owned and operated steel fabrication and service center. They have 12 locations throughout the country but have been part of the Oshkosh community since 1994, beginning as a 20-person shop. Since then, they have grown to nearly 300 employees with their recent acquisition of SMC Metal Fabricators in October of 2022. Their Oshkosh campus now consists of three separate buildings, totaling approximately 300,000 square feet of production space. Due to the continual reinvestment by the Hickey family, Lapham-Hickey Steel Oshkosh continues to grow in size and capacity. Their recent equipment additions allow them to stay on the cutting edge in the market, while growing their ability to service customers as they supply steel to dozens of companies right here in Oshkosh and hundreds of companies in the surrounding areas. Lapham-Hickey Steel is also reinvesting in the Oshkosh community through charitable contribution stipends. In 2023, they will be partnering with and donating to the Oshkosh North High School Booster Club.

First Weber Group Oshkosh received the Small Business of the Year Award, which is given to a business that contributes in making Oshkosh a great place to live and work. First Weber Group Oshkosh, formerly known as Schwab Realty, was founded by Dennis and Gail Schwab in 1967. They began with just one Broker, a part-time Secretary and three sales associates to now having a Broker, 36 sales associates, five staff members and two managers. Through steady growth and overcoming life’s challenges, they have held the position of the top real estate company in the city of Oshkosh for over thirty years with involvement in almost half of every local real estate transaction each year. As a true family business, their philosophy has always been rooted in a belief of treating people like family and investing in people, including support staff, their super agents, and their clients. They hold firm to their motto of “The Human Side of Real Estate.”

First Weber believes that their business can only be as strong as their community, which is why they are so committed to giving back. Many of their sales associates and staff members hold leadership positions in local organizations, including the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, and donate their time to help make Oshkosh a better place. In addition to volunteerism, First Weber consistently gives back to the community through their Acorn Fund at the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and by donating a portion of each sale to the First Weber Foundation, which is committed to strengthening our community through charitable contributions and volunteer leadership.

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce today announced the results from a recent study showcasing the Chamber’s vast economic impact on the Oshkosh regional economy for the past 20 years. In 2022, the Chamber partnered with the Center for Customized Research and Services at UW-Oshkosh to estimate the Chamber’s economic impact on the Oshkosh regional economy from 2001 – 2021. The findings demonstrate the Chamber’s activities have generated and supported $1.5 billion in combined economic impact and helped create and support 13,500 jobs.

The results of the report, which were revealed to Chamber members this evening at the Chamber’s 115th Annual Meeting, come from evaluation of the Chamber’s operations, economic development programming and the broader regional economy’s performance in the past 20 years.

“To see the hard work of our staff, members, and local businesses big and small quantified in this way is truly remarkable. I’m proud of all that the Chamber and the Oshkosh business community has accomplished over the last two decades to fuel and support our local community,” said Rob Kleman, President & CEO at Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. “For over 100 years, the Oshkosh Chamber has been leading the way in its economic development activities, and we look forward to what the next decade will bring for the success of our businesses and community.”

As a whole, the community has enjoyed several economic development projects in the past two decades, including the development of the Downtown Action Plan, relocation and expansion of Oshkosh Corporation’s global headquarters, growth of the Universal Business Park and the creation of the Chamber’s Revolving Loan Fund.

The Chamber also played a crucial role in the retention and attraction of recent major development and investment projects, including MERGE Urban Development, the Mineshaft Restaurant and Marriott TownePlace Suites Hotel by Marriott and other Oshkosh Avenue developments. This demonstrates both the rapid acceleration of economic development activities in the past five years as well as the important role that the Chamber plays in promoting them.

“With the support of the Chamber, we knew Oshkosh was the right community to truly allow our business to thrive. When our local businesses are succeeding, our region is succeeding, and we’re excited to continue to serve our community and patrons,” said Nathan Krohn, General Manager/Owner Teriyaki Madness.

The Chamber collaborates and partners with entrepreneurs, employers and workers to continue investing, inventing and innovating for a better future. In fact, small businesses also made a large impact on the economic impact results, accounting for 90% of the Chamber’s members as a whole.

Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, announced today that the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) has placed a $141 Million order for 414 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles A2 (FMTV A2) and 56 FMTV trailers.

The FMTV A2 is a modernized version of the FMTV A1P2, offering increased force protection, greater payload capacity, superior off-road mobility, enhanced engine power, and an upgraded electrical system. These advanced capabilities allow the FMTV A2 to support a wide range of duties, from combat missions and logistics operations to aiding in relief efforts.

“Since we were awarded the FMTV A2 production contract in 2018, we’ve worked closely with the U.S. Army to refine the platform and add additional capabilities,” said Pat Williams, Chief Program Officer for Oshkosh Defense. “We’re confident that we are delivering the best performing medium tactical vehicle in the world.”

With today’s announced order, Oshkosh Defense has received orders for 1,412 FMTV A2s and 800 FMTV trailers for a total order value of $627 Million to date.

The annual Winter Flight Fest will bring family activities and the popular skiplane fly-in to the EAA Aviation Museum on Saturday, February 11, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The day is designed for all ages and is a family-friendly series of activities through the museum and at its Pioneer Airport facility. Among the highlights included with regular museum admission that day:

· Hands-on family activities:

o Wright Flyer simulator – Take the controls of the first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk

o Paper airplane launcher – Fold your best creation and see how it flies

o X-Planes – Create your own X-Plane and test it through various obstacles

o Pararescue challenge, where kids design a miniature parachute and test it in a wind tunnel

o Indoor model airplane flying – Discover what it takes to build and fly a radio-control model

o Clothespin airplanes – Make your own airplane refrigerator magnet.

· Airplane model building contest: Open to all ages with no entry fee, with divisions for adults and youth. Contestants can build their models prior to February 11, but must have their models registered by 1 p.m. Judging begins at 2 p.m., with winners announced immediately afterward.

· Skiplane Fly-In: Pilots from throughout the upper Midwest land on the snow-covered airstrip at Pioneer Airport. Museum visitors are welcome to walk among the parked airplanes and discover more about this facet of fun flying. Shuttles will operate from the museum to Pioneer Airport throughout the day. (Pilots who are interested in flying their skiplanes to the event must pre-register by completing an online form.

In addition, EAA is offering a family membership discount for first-time family members of $50, which includes free year-round entry to the EAA Aviation Museum, as well as hundreds of other museums nationwide as part of the Association of Science-Technology Centers’ Travel Passport Program.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Wed., Feb. 1High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Thurs., Feb. 2High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Everyday Tech: Facebook for Beginners, 2 p.m., adultsDrop-in Tech Help, 3 p.m., adults

Fri., Feb. 3

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-11

Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6-8

Young Adult Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 9-12

Mon., Feb. 6

Book Buzz: Picture in the Sand, 8 a.m., YouTubeFamily Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12

Wed., Feb. 8

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsMemory Café: That’s Amore, 1:30 p.m., adults

Thurs., Feb. 9

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Genealogy & Local History Acquisitions 2022, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., Feb. 10

Elementary Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 5-8

Mon., Feb. 13

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12

Tues., Feb. 14

Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Banned Book Club at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., adults

Wed., Feb. 15

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Thurs., Feb. 16

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Everyday Tech: Fun with Photos, 2 p.m., adultsDrop-in Tech Help, 3 p.m., adultsWonderlab: Exploding Foam, 6:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9

Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., Feb. 17Tween S.T.E.A.M.: DIY Air Fresheners, 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 11

Open Mic Poetry at New Moon Coffee Shop, 7 p.m., teens & adults

Sun., Feb. 19

Movies with Friends, 1 p.m., all ages

Mon., Feb. 20

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12

Wed., Feb. 22High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Thurs., Feb 23High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Fri., Feb. 24Library closed for staff training

Sat., Feb. 25

Meet author Dean Robbins, 10:30 a.m., ages 5 and older

Mon., Feb. 27

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m. ages 5 – 12

Tues., Feb. 28

Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adults

As you age, you need to be proactive to stay healthy and strong. A significant component of your exercise routine if you are older than 50 should include strength training. “Strength training enhances your quality of life and improves your ability to do everyday activities,” says Jean Wollerman, Seniors Services Manager at the Oshkosh Seniors Center. “It can protect your joints from injury and lessen your chances of falling.” Oshkosh has one of the largest and most visited Seniors Centers in the State. We are opening the doors on Thursday, January 26, from noon to 3 pm for people to see our facility’s fitness equipment designed to help you maintain and build strength.

Center partners will share wellness information during the event, and visitors can sign up for door prizes. Network Health, the Oshkosh Police and Fire Department, and Hometown Pharmacy are just a few community participants. It’s an excellent opportunity to hear about the new fall risk equipment that the Oshkosh Fire Department purchased for the Center. This equipment can determine your fall risk compared to your peers in under five minutes.

Getting started begins with our Fitness Coordinator, Alec Jensen, a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Human Performance and over 20 fitness certifications. It does not matter what age or fitness level you find yourself in because the Center has classes and fitness equipment that can improve your strength.

Please commit to being proactive as you age. Make sure your fitness strategy includes visiting the Oshkosh Seniors Center, located at 234 N. Campbell Road, 920-232-5300.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating several damage to property complaints that took place in Red Arrow Park (850 N Westfield St) in the City of Oshkosh.

Officers received information that several juveniles damaged property at Red Arrow Park, the Skateboard Park, and Pollock Pool. Extensive graffiti was found throughout all of these locations.

We strongly urge parents to remind children to be respectful of property and that repairs to fix damaged items can be very costly. Officers are currently working on identifying the individuals involved with these complaints.

If anyone has information about these incidents, please contact the Oshkosh Police Departmentat (920) 236-5700 Option1.

The Winnebago County Health Department will be offering a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Oshkosh Senior Center South Building (200 N Campbell Rd, Oshkosh) on the following Wednesdays: January 18, 25 & February 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Pfizer vaccine and updated Pfizer bivalent booster will be available to anyone 6 months and older.

Individuals over the age of 65 or those who are immunocompromised are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. In addition to the primary vaccine series, receiving the updated bivalent booster reduces the risk of becoming seriously ill, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19. The updated bivalent booster targets the original virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

Along with the Senior Center vaccine clinics, you can find the Pfizer primary vaccine series and Pfizer bivalent booster at the following local clinics:

To find additional vaccine locations please visit wcvaccine.org or call 920-232-3026. The COVID-19 vaccine is free and insurance is not needed to receive it.

For questions about COVID-19, contact the Winnebago County Health Department’s Public Health Hotline at 920-232-3026 or visit winnebagopublichealth.org.

Don’t let the cold, dark days of January “snow” you down. Bundle up and visit Oshkosh Public Library to experience science with a frosty twist with Mad Science of Milwaukee.

Their Wacky Winter Program is a blizzard of entertaining, hands-on activities that demonstrate simple scientific concepts for kids ages five and older.

Kids will help Frosty get home after he eats too many cookies and can’t fit through the door. And a quick demonstration of static electricity will spark hair-raising excitement. Discover how Jack Frost can fill an eight-foot air bag with one breath. Be amazed as a mysterious North Pole “rock” pops corks, bubbles potions, makes quarters shiver and creates fog.

This cool program is Sat., Jan. 21 at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required.

Call (920) 236-5208 or visit the Children’s Department to reserve your seat.

For information about other programs and services, please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.orgor call Information Services at (920) 236-5205

The holidays were a bit brighter in Oshkosh due to a charity Christmas light display created by 13-year-old Brody Enli.

For the past seven years, Brody, a 7th grader at ALPS Charter School, has decorated the outside of his family’s home with lights for Christmas. For the fourth year, he used his talents to raise money for charity. Brody’s Christmas Lights for Charity ran nightly from November 24, 2022 to January 1, 2023, with a musically synchronized light show that Brody created. This year, Brody’s Light Show expanded and included roof lines, in addition to several other show elements that he’s added over the years.

This year, Brody’s Christmas Lights for Charity, combined with matching funds from U.S. Venture and corporate donations made in his name by Kobussen Busses, Ltd and Bergstrom Automotive, will bedonating $4,532.59 to the Oshkosh Kids Foundation, which helps children of homeless or strugglingfamilies find stable housing, successful education, and a post-secondary path to self-sufficient lives. “Ichoose the Oshkosh Kids Foundation as my primary charity again this year because I’m a kid and I like helping other kids”, said Brody Enli. In addition to the monetary donation, 155 pounds of nonperishable food items were collected at the show to donate to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry.

626 new/gently used children’s books were collected to be donated and distributed to local childrenthrough the Oshkosh Area United Way.

“I was really happy that people came to enjoy my show and it’s amazing how generous people were;donating money, food and books. I’m so thankful also for the area businesses who have also supportedme and the charities I donate to. I hope I was able to make people smile watching my light show”, saidBrody Enli.

The food donations were delivered to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry in early January. Brody andhis family will be delivering the check to the Oshkosh Kids Foundation on January 16th at 10:00AM at theOshkosh Kids Foundation Tiny Houses, located at 125 Packer Avenue in Oshkosh. The books will bedelivered to the Oshkosh Area United Way on January 16th at 10:30am.

Since starting Brody’s Christmas Light Show for Charity in 2019, over $12,700 has been donated toOshkosh area charities, 1,166 pounds of food have been donated to the Oshkosh Area CommunityPantry and 1,103 books have been donated for children in the Oshkosh community.

Brody is excited about growing his Christmas Light Show in the future and spreading holiday cheer whileraising money for charity. He is already making plans for his 2023 Light Show! To follow updates onBrody’s show, please visit Brody’s Christmas Lights For Charity (brodyslights4charity.org) or follow onFacebook at https://www.facebook.com/BCL4C

The Oshkosh Police Department responded to a disturbance at Merrill Middle School (108 W New York Avenue), in the City of Oshkosh.

On 01/11/2023 at approximately 2:15 PM, a School Resource Officer requested emergency assistance at Merrill Middle School due to a large physical altercation between several individuals. Multiple Oshkosh Police Officers responded to that location to assist.

Earlier in the day, a physical disturbance took place at Merrill Middle School between two students. At around 2:15 PM, family members and acquaintances of one of the students who was involved in the earlier disturbance arrived at Merrill School.

These adult individuals forced their way into the school and started creating a disturbance. School staff and the School Resource Officer advised them that they needed to leave the school and they refused to do so. These individuals then created a physicaldisturbance with school staff and officers.

Several adults and one juvenile were taken into custody. There were no weapons involved.

Merrill Middle School went into a hold for student safety while this incident was resolved.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 911 (if an emergency) or (920) 236-5700. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can do so by using the P3 tip app through the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers.

The city of Oshkosh offers loans and incentives designed to encourage home improvements, home ownership, and investing in eligible Oshkosh housing stock. An in-person presentation will be held at the Oshkosh Convention Center on Wednesday, January 25, at 5:30 p.m. to highlight the various programs. A strong, diverse stock of affordable housing is important to Oshkosh’s economic health and quality of life.

The public is encouraged to attend the January 25 in-person presentation, and is asked to register attendance in advance with Anne Schaefer at (920) 232-5306. City staff will be introducing further details on the available programs such as “Sold on Oshkosh”, which is a up to $7,500 forgivable loan after five years on home purchases made in recognized Oshkosh Neighborhood Associations. Or, for those who own an eligible property and want to make improvements, they could apply for the “Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program”, a 15-year loan for up to $50,000 at 0% interest. Additional programs may be found on the city’s website at https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/PlanningServices/HousingLoansAndIncentives.aspx. The programs could save thousands of dollars for eligible participants. Those attending the presentation will hear from a panel of City of Oshkosh Planning staff and from Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods representatives about details of the various programs, including eligibility requirements. There will be an opportunity to ask questions during the presentation.

Home owners and buyers, realtors, mortgage professionals, investors, and bankers are all encouraged to attend this free presentation on January 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center, located at 2 N. Main Street. Registration is required for the informational session. Please contact Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator, at [email protected], or call (920) 232-5306 to register.

A valve that controls the water service to the area west of US HWY 45 between West Snell Road extended and Ryf Road (County Road T) will be replaced today, Wednesday, January 11th, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The installation of the new water valve will result in a water outage for businesses and residents in this area. The businesses and residents have been notified. The valve installation will take place at the Sterns Drive and West Snell Road intersection which is currently closed for construction.

The repair is anticipated to take up to five hours to be completed. Water will be restored to affected properties as soon as possible. Crews will prep for excavation the morning of January 11th to expedite the valve replacement and minimize the water outage.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures (BOS) said the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in the city of Oshkosh, Winnebago County, is now open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

The bridge had been closed since yesterday morning (Monday, Jan. 9) as crews worked to install a new gearbox and components on the north leaf span of the bridge. Crews completed installation earlier than anticipated, and the bridge opened shortly before noon. Tomorrow’s (Wed., Jan. 11) anticipated closure will not be necessary, and the bridge will remain open.

EAA’s new hands-on education Saturday Sessions program for young people in grades 6-12 will kick off on January 28 at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh. Saturday Sessions open a world of discovery to aviation with a focus on aircraft through fun projects and museum exploration.

Each session runs from 9 a.m. until noon and focuses on a different aspect of aircraft construction with an accompanying hands-on project for attendees to take home. The session begins in the Youth Education Center with a brief introduction on the subject followed by the hands-on activity. Students will then be tasked with completing a scavenger hunt inside of the museum pertaining to the session’s theme. The session will wrap up with a conclusion where students can share what they have learned and finish their hands-on project.

The inaugural Saturday Session is centered on aircraft structures. Students will have the opportunity to build a wooden wing rib while learning about early airframe designs. Other sessions on the schedule include March 18 on composite fabrication, and April 22 on avionics and communication.

Admission is $15 per student. Online registration is required 24 hours prior to the event. Adults must pay regular museum admission if they plan to stay with their student during the session. Students are welcome to further explore the museum following each session.

The Oshkosh community is invited to celebrate 50 years of the Oshkosh West vs Oshkosh North boys basketball crosstown rivalry. On Friday, January 20, 2023 the Oshkosh high school basketball teams will take center court at the Oshkosh Arena, home of the Wisconsin Herd. The crosstown rivalry – hosted by Oshkosh West – will feature a doubleheader with the girls varsity game at 6:30 p.m. and the boys varsity game at 8:15 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Oshkosh Arena located at 1212 S Main Street, Oshkosh, WI. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.

A portion of every ticket sold will be donated back to the Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation! The public can purchase tickets online at https://fevo.me/westnorth or at the door. Ticket prices for the public vary by level and are $8 for the upper-level, $10 for the lower-level, $20 for courtside (BBB or CCC), and $25 for courtside (AAA). Every ticket purchased will include a free Herd ticket to a weekday game in February or March.

Seating is limited and students, families, staff, and community members are encouraged to get tickets in advance.

OASD student tickets are as follows: Oshkosh North and Oshkosh West students can get a free ticket to the January 20 games. To be seated in the reserved student sections, high school students must pick up their ticket in advance at their high school bank. If getting a ticket the night of at the door, high school students must present their OASD student ID and may not be able to sit in the reserved student section. There is no discounted ticket price for OASD elementary or middle school students.

OASD pass holder, staff, and senior citizen tickets are as follows: The Oshkosh Arena is honoring all Oshkosh North and Oshkosh West basketball pass holders, staff, and senior citizen entries for the January 20 games. In order to have access to better seating, pass holders, staff members, and senior citizens are encouraged to get their tickets in advance at either high school bank. Tickets will be available at the school banks Monday through Friday until January 18, from 8 a.m. – 11:15 a.m and 11:45 a.m. – 3:30. Pass holders, staff, and senior citizens can also get their tickets the night of at the door by showing their pass or staff ID; seating will be based on what is available. OASD staff members can receive a free ticket for themself and one guest.

Tickets will also be available during the Oshkosh West and Oshkosh North home basketball games the week of January 9 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Parking in the Oshkosh Arena parking lot will be free and available on a first-come basis.

Pre-game entertainment will feature a match-up between Oshkosh Grade 8 Girls Basketball teams at 5:40 p.m. Gametime entertainment will include performances by the Oshkosh West Pep Band, Oshkosh West Dance Team, Oshkosh North Dance Team, and Oshkosh Twirl Team. The National Anthem will be performed by Erin Boheme, a jazz singer/songwriter and Oshkosh native. Additionally, an OASD basketball alumni spotlight celebration will take place in between the girls and boys games. Former Oshkosh North, Oshkosh West, and Oshkosh High School basketball players are asked to check in at the alumni table – located in the concourse area – by 7:15 p.m. Participating basketball alumni will then be welcomed on the court to be recognized by name and graduating year before the start of the 15-minute warm-up for the boys game.

Fans can also take home a commemorative Oshkosh North vs Oshkosh West Basketball t-shirt. A limited number of t-shirts will be available for purchase at the game. The shirts are $10 each with proceeds benefiting the Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation. The t-shirts were made possible through the generosity of 4imprint, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

Fans can also purchase raffle tickets at the games for a chance to win exciting Wisconsin Herd and Milwaukee Bucks prizes.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item including peanut butter, canned tuna, canned soup, baked beans, and canned fruit. These items are being collected by an Oshkosh West High School student as part of their Academy for Global Studies capstone project. The donations will be given to Father Carr’s Place 2B Community Food Pantry. Anyone that brings a requested food item(s) will receive a maximum of one raffle ticket for the prize drawing.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Wisconsin is expanding its mental illness support groups to help people who live with a mental illness and their family members throughout the state.

Program Director, Emilie Smiley, says the new online model aims to reach people in rural areas of Wisconsin who otherwise would not have access to in-person support groups.

“Mental illness does not discriminate,” she said. “There are people all throughout Wisconsin without access to proper support. We hope these support groups can help bridge the gap.”

Smiley says many people feel isolated and alone, especially with the stigma still surrounding mental illness.

“We want people to be able to reach out for help when they need it,” she says. “These groups provide a place that offers respect, understanding, encouragement, and hope.”

NAMI Wisconsin is offering both peer and family support groups which will take place on Zoom monthly. There is no cost associated with attending this group and it’s open to all residents in Wisconsin.

Oshkosh Defense, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), announced today that the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has selected Oshkosh Defense to produce the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) hulls for the Israeli Defense Forces.

As part of this contract, valued at over $100 million, Oshkosh Defense will build hundreds of Eitan APC main hulls.

“Oshkosh Defense continues to enhance our innovative manufacturing processes to deliver world class vehicles and mobility systems,” said Pat Williams, Chief Program Officer, Oshkosh Defense. “The Eitan APC contract is just another example of our ability to leverage leading edge technology to provide our customers advanced combat vehicle solutions.”

The Eitan APC award expands Oshkosh’s portfolio of two recent adjacent market wins achieved by Oshkosh – the Stryker Medium Caliber Weapons System (MCWS) and Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).

“We are honored to have been selected by the Israeli Ministry of Defense to build the Eitan APC hull,” said John Lazar, Vice President of International, Oshkosh Defense. “We’ve worked with IMOD on a multitude of programs for more than a decade, and we look forward to demonstrating our continued commitment to this partnership.”

Production will begin in 2023 and the first hulls will arrive in Israel within 18 months.

In 2022, for the first time in our history, The Oshkosh Fire Department responded to over 10,000 calls for service. The official number is 10,405; which averages out to 29 calls per day. This is an 8% increase since 2021 and 15% overall increase since 2019.

Fire Chief Mike Stanley said that, “The City of Oshkosh’s population continues to increase, and as a large number of the population ages, I foresee a continued increase in demand for our services. With a fixed number of resources such as firefighters, apparatus and fire stations the Department continues to implement and utilize risk-reduction programs to attempt to reduce the numbers of incidents by preventing them in the first place.”

As the needs of those who live, work, and visit evolve the Oshkosh Fire Department will continue to add value to our community by providing a wide range of emergency services with skill and compassion.

Recently, Assembly Democratic Leader Greta Neubauer announced committee appointments for the 2023-24 legislative session. Representative Lori Palmeri (D-Oshkosh) has been appointed to the following committees: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Prevention, Environment, Regulatory Licensing Reform, and Forestry, Parks & Outdoor Recreation.

Rep. Polmeri released the following statement:

“I am honored to be able to serve on these committees in the upcoming legislative session, and I knowthat my colleagues and I are eager to address the challenges communities across Wisconsin are facing,” stated Rep. Palmeri.

“My experience in local government, serving for two terms as Mayor of Oshkosh, as well as serving onthe Oshkosh Common Council, has given me insight into the policies and issues impacting local communities. I have also worked for years in non-profit community service, advocacy for mental health and the recovery community. I’m eager to dive into policy that will benefit Wisconsinites everywhere.

“Over the past decade, I have served on the following: East Central Regional Planning Commission andon the Regional Comprehensive Planning Committee, Parks Advisory Board, City of Oshkosh DiversityEquity and Inclusion Committee, Oshkosh Planning Commission, Sustainability, Transit, Parking, Bikeand Pedestrian Advisory Board. This session, I will bring my expertise and lived experience to all mycommittee assignments to make Wisconsin a better place to live and work, for everyone.”

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures (BOS) announces the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in the city of Oshkosh, Winnebago County, will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 8 a.m., Monday, January, 9 through 5 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.

Bridge crews intend to install a new gearbox and components on the north leaf span of the bridge. WisDOT’s BOS crews replaced the gearbox on the south leaf span last month following discovery of worn components during a routine inspection in May 2022. The two gearboxes are instrumental in opening and closing each span of the bridge.

This work is very weather-dependent and subject to change. If the weather if favorable, installation of the second gearbox may not take the entire three days. Schedule updates and traffic impacts can be found on the Northeast Region Highway Maintenance website at https://projects.511wi.gov/maintain-ne/schedule/.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating an animal complaint in which a deceased dog was located inside of a residence located in the 1600 block of Rainbow Drive in the City of Oshkosh.

On January 4th, at approximately 2:57 PM, Officers were dispatched to a multi-tenant property located in the 1600 Block of Rainbow Drive. Staff from the property management company contacted the Oshkosh Police Department to report that they had located a deceased dog inside of an apartment.

Officers and Detectives responded to the scene and located the medium sized deceased dog. No residents or other animals were located within the apartment. An OPD Detective made contact with the owner of the dog. The cause of death is unknown at this time and the investigation is still ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477; or throughthe P3 App.

MADISON – Today, Representative-elect Lori Palmeri (D-Oshkosh) was sworn in and began her firstterm in the State Assembly. Joined by her husband, friends and family, Rep. Palmeri took her oath ofoffice and will begin her legislative duties.

Representative Palmeri released the following statement:

“I am honored to be officially sworn-in as the Representative for the 54th Assembly District. I am eagerto begin my work on behalf of the people of the 54th Assembly District. I am grateful to my communityfor putting their trust in me to be a voice for them in Madison.

“I ran for office to serve my community as a problem solver – to be a voice for the faces I see every day. I am honored to have the opportunity to represent and advocate for my neighbors in the state capitol.

“I promise I will listen to your concerns, advocate for our shared values, and work to move our stateforward. My office in Madison will be accessible and open to working with you to make Wisconsin abetter place for all.

“Let’s get to work!”

Due to incoming hazardous winter weather, Oshkosh public schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, December 22.

This decision was made after careful consideration and monitoring of the latest weather forecast. High winds and blowing snow is expected to impact the Oshkosh area Thursday afternoon, making travel extremely difficult. The safety of students and staff is the District’s top priority. The decision was made early so that families have additional time to make arrangements. Additional information was shared with OASD families and is available on the OASD website.

OASD schools are closed for Winter Break from Friday, December 23, 2022 to January 2, 2023. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) today filed charges against Jason Lindemann, 52, of Oshkosh, for driving the powerboat that struck a paddlewheel cruise boat on the Fox River on July 9, 2022.

“Our boating laws and regulations help protect people’s safety,” said Attorney General Kaul. “Thank you to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, the DNR wardens, and the prosecutors who have been working on this case.”

As alleged in the complaint, the defendant was driving his powerboat on the Fox River when it collided with the “On the Loos” paddlewheel cruise boat just before 10:00 p.m. The cruise boat, carrying 44 people, suffered significant damage. As alleged in the complaint, despite pleas from passengers on the damaged boat and nearby witnesses, Lindemann did not stop and render aid. After dropping injured passengers from his boat off nearby, Lindemann drove his boat onto Lake Winnebago, where he and the boat remained until the next morning. Law enforcement found Lindemann’s boat abandoned at a nearby marina on the morning of July 10, 2022.

The complaint alleges that multiple witnesses observed Lindemann consuming alcohol in the hours prior to the crash. Lindemann and his passengers are alleged to have been drinking at the Dockside Tavern immediately before the crash. GPS data from Lindemann’s boat revealed that after leaving the Dockside, the boat traveled under the Oregon Street Bridge and then accelerated rapidly, reaching a top speed of 46 miles per hour as it traveled in the direction of the paddlewheel boat. As the complaint alleges, the boat veered right just before impact, slowing to a speed of 31 miles per hour just before impact.

As alleged in the complaint, multiple passengers from the “On the Loos” boat were injured as a result of the collision.

As in any criminal proceeding, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office led this investigation, along with assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Criminal Litigation Unit of the Wisconsin DOJ Division of Legal Services is handing the prosecution and is unable to comment beyond what is contained in the complaint or stated in court, because this is an ongoing criminal prosecution.

An initial appearance has not yet been scheduled in Winnebago County Circuit Court.

No further details are available at this time.

As 2022 comes to a close, the EAA Aviation Museum is already planning events for all ages to kick off 2023.

Story Time continues in the new year with unique themes centered on the world of aviation. On select Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., EAA Aviation Museum educators read a story aloud and lead an accompanying activity for children and their caregivers. Story Time is designed for children ages 3-5, but all are welcome.

Aviation Adventure Speaker Series resumes with a lineup of speakers from many sectors of aviation. Held on the third Thursday of every month, attendees can learn about unique and historic aviation experiences. Upcoming topics include crop dusting, how BT-67s are made, and the experience of flying an F-8 Crusader. Admission is free for EAA members, and $5 for nonmembers.

Winter Flight Fest returns on Saturday, February 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The all-day, all-ages event features a variety of activities inside the museum, an airplane model building contest, and a skiplane fly-in (weather permitting). Complimentary chili will be served at Pioneer Airport. The skiplane fly-in is free to watch, while all inside museum events and activities require museum admission.

The first-ever Flight at the Museum will take place on Saturday, March 11, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy an evening of fine food, beer tasting, and live music. This upscale food-and-drink experience will pair a five-course meal from TJ’s Highland Steakhouse with a variety of beverages from Stone Arch Brewery. Award-winning vocalist Janet Planet and her six-person band will perform during the dinner. A pre-dinner reception will include beer tasting from 20 premium breweries. Tickets are on sale now at EAA.org/FlightAtTheMuseum. All proceeds will go toward supporting EAA’s youth education activities. Flight at the Museum is sponsored by Arena Americas, Discover Oshkosh, and Duluth Trading Company.

Thanks to the generosity of Jimmy John’s in Oshkosh, along with a community of hungry supporters, the Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation will be able to help more students in need. Jimmy John’s in Oshkosh recently donated $1,451.34 to the Foundation’s Basic Needs Fund, which provides transportation, food, hygiene, clothing, shelter, school supplies, and more to students in need.

“We so appreciate the team at Jimmy John’s and their commitment to making a difference in our community,” said Theresa Duren, Director of the OASD Education Foundation. “This donation will allow us to help more students in need so that they can focus on learning.”

As part of its Sharing the Love Community Event, Jimmy John’s pledged to donate 10% of net sales at both Oshkosh locations on December 8.

“The support from customers during this give-back event was one of the highest our location has seen,” said Brett Sawicki, General Manager of the Jimmy John’s – 70 Wisconsin Street Oshkosh location. “And seeing as I went to Read Elementary, Merrill Middle School and graduated from Oshkosh North High School in 2015, being able to help out our schools this way was pretty special.”

Since 2012, the OASD Education foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 in grants benefiting the District’s 21 schools and making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of Oshkosh students and staff.

The OASD Education Foundation engages the community in supporting Oshkosh public schools and is committed to providing resources for innovation, fine arts, athletics, scholarships, and other resources to enhance students’ lives. The OASD Education Foundation funds are managed by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. For more information or to make a donation, contact Theresa Duren at [email protected] or 920.424.0395. Additional information is available at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation.

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated a disturbance in the 1000 block of Wisconsin St where a handgun was fired. No one was injured by the gunshot. The individuals involved are known to each other and this is an isolated incident. Two women were taken into custody as a result of the investigation, but the investigation is ongoing at this time.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Artus at the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

Victims and witnesses of crimes have rights. For more information about these rights and services, please visit our webpage at: http://www.oshkoshpd.com/VictimServices/

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a stabbing that occurred at a business located in the 800 Block of Oregon Street in the City of Oshkosh.

On 12/17/2022 at approximately 1:53 AM, Officers from the Oshkosh Police Department were dispatched to a weapons call in the 800 Block of Oregon Street. They received information that a female had been stabbed multiple times.

Upon further investigation, Officers discovered that there was a physical altercation that took place between several individuals that are known to each other and that an adult female from Oshkosh had been stabbed. She was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Vang at the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5741.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

Victims and witnesses of crimes have rights. For more information aboutthese rights and services please visit our webpage at:http://www.oshkoshpd.com/VictimServices/.

This morning (December 16, 2022) at 3:56 a.m. the City of Oshkosh Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at the above location.

Fire crews quickly extinguished a small fire caused by an electrical malfunction inside the home causing minor damage.

The family of five and their two pets were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm allowing them to exit the home unharmed.

This a reminder to please be sure your home has functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

On Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 3 – 6 p.m., Multicultural Coalition, Inc. (MCI) will hold a free holiday-themed COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccination event for those 12-years-old and over who have received their primary COVID-19 vaccination series at the First Congregational Church in Oshkosh, located at 137 Algoma Boulevard (map).

Additionally, ahead of the holiday season, those who attend the event can receive a free plush animal from Partnership Community Health Center, courtesy of PetSmart in Grand Chute.

“PetSmart donated 2,300 stuffed animals to Partnership Community Health Center as part of its PetSmart Charities holiday drive,” explained Patricia Sarvela, chief development officer at Partnership Community Health Center. “Getting a shot can be a scary thing for a child and with the holidays right around the corner, we want to help kids feel the excitement and warmth of the holiday season.”

Families and individuals attending this holiday-themed vaccination event can learn about health insurance enrollment in Wisconsin and can even speak with a marketplace navigator about how to get signed up. Health insurance enrollment runs until January 15, 2023 and allows people to enroll in high-quality health plans that are part of the federal marketplace.

“This is a locally-led healthcare event that is aimed at bringing the resources needed to keep people safe to members of the community,” explained Lisa Cruz, board member of MCI and president of Red Shoes, Inc. “These vaccination programs were started in the midst of the pandemic to help get our most vulnerable populations vaccinated. They’ve grown into a complete healthcare resource that provides wrap-around services and supplies to everyone without barriers.”

The community-led holiday vaccination event celebration will feature:

MCI’s clinic will feature the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster shots for anyone looking to get protected. The vaccination clinic is free and open to walk-ins. No pre-registration, identification or health insurance is required to receive a vaccination. Bivalent booster vaccines are available for those 12-years-old and up who have completed their primary vaccination series.

This vaccination clinic is sponsored by: Red Shoes Inc., Multicultural Coalition, Inc., NEW Hmong Professionals, Pointters Community Initiatives, Partnership Community Health Center, Casa Hispana, Inc., CAP Services, Christine Ann Center, Oshkosh Public Library, ESTHER, Oshkosh Area Food Pantry, United Way Fox Cities, Wisconsin Council of Churches, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Ascension, PRN and First Congregational Church of Oshkosh.

Winter ice skating is planned, weather permitting, for Menominee Park Zoo’s lagoon. The outdoor rink nestled in the heart of Menominee Park promises to be a magical winter attraction. The Lake Fly Café will serve as a warming shelter, and open skate hours will be January 7 through February 19 on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free skate rentals from Dr. Eric’s Skate Club will be available to the public.

The International Youth Sailing of Oshkosh club will provide free cross-country ski rentals on January 7 & 8 and February 18 & 19. If you have never been cross-country skiing, sign up for instruction with the Oshkosh Recreation Department online at www.oshkoshrecdept.com.

A special event is planned for Friday, February 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. when the Oshkosh Area School District has the day off. Details on the event will be released soon.

The outdoor rink will only be open when weather and ice conditions permit. For more information about Winter Skating at Menominee Park Zoo’s Lagoon, located at 520 Pratt Trail in Oshkosh, for updates visit www.facebook.com/OshkoshParks or contact the Parks Department at (920) 236-5080.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating several phone scams which occurred in the City of Oshkosh.

Several citizens alerted OPD that they received a phone call from a male stating that he was an officer with the Oshkosh Police Department and they missed a court date. Officers from the Oshkosh Police Department may call citizens in regards to investigations but they would not call to solicit money or gift cards.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3 App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip; or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org to submit a text tip. If your tip leads toan arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

The City of Oshkosh Transportation Department would like to remind residents that because of the city’s observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, there will be no GO Transit service on Monday, December 26, 2022 and on Monday, January 2, 2023.

Dec. 24 – City bus service will end early at 5:15 pm. The last trip for Route 10 service to Neenah will be at 3:00 pm. Route 10’s 4:30 pm trip, from the downtown transit center, will go only as far as Jackson Street and Kope Avenue.

Dec. 26 – No bus service.

Jan. 2 – No bus service.

GO Transit’s office will be closed on December 23rd and December 26th, 2022, and on January 2, 2023.

Give your mood a boost this winter by reading for prizes and helping to earn a community reward at Oshkosh Public Library.

The library’s Wild Winter Read Off for all ages runs from Dec. 19 through Feb. 25. Track your reading, earn badges and collect prizes using the free Beanstack app or by creating a free account at oshkoshpubliclibrary.beanstack.org. Printed reading logs are available at any service desk for readers who would rather track their minutes on paper.

Adults can earn items from the library’s used bookstore and raffle tickets for one of four $50 Kwik Trip gift cards. Teens can earn goodie bags, books and entries in a drawing for a $50 VISA gift card. Children read to spin the prize wheel for books, toys and more. All ages can earn additional badges for broadening their reading horizons, doing fun activities, or writing book reviews.

The library is challenging the community to read a total of 300,000 minutes during the Wild Winter Read Off. If the goal is achieved, the library will add a lawn game to its popular collection of games and puzzles. Starting Dec. 19, the public is invited to vote at the library for one of three choices – Ladder Toss, Slam Ball or Giant Kick Croquet.

For information about the Wild Winter Read Off and other library programs and services, visitoshkoshpubliclibrary.org or call Information Services at (920) 236-5205.

The City of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the City’s observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Monday, December 26, 2022 and on Monday, January 2, 2023.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling scheduled for pickup on Friday, December 30, 2022, moves to Saturday, December 31, 2022. Collections scheduled for Friday, January 6, 2023, will move to Saturday, January 7, 2023. Regular services will resume on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Additionally, the city’s yard waste drop-off center located on W. 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) is also closed for the holidays on Friday, December 23, 2022, and Monday, December 26, 2022, and on Monday, January 2, 2023. The drop-off center will re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. The winter hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drop-off center is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and city holidays during the winter schedule, which is currently in effect through March 31, 2023.

Residential curbside Christmas tree collection will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the weeks of January 9, 2023, through January 13, 2023, and January 23, 2023, through January 27, 2023.

If you would like more information, please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

As the holiday season approaches, the Winnebago County Health Department encourages people to take steps to protect their health and those around them. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu is still the best way to minimize risk. Other ways to stop the spread of illness this holiday season include testing before you attend a gathering or if you feel sick and staying home if you don’t feel well or were exposed to COVID-19.

“We are seeing high rates of COVID-19, flu and RSV in our area,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department director/health officer. “Staying up to date on your vaccines is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself and the community around you safe from severe illness. Vaccination and testing sites can be found throughout our area.”

The Winnebago County Health Department offers the following COVID-19 vaccine clinics:

If you are feeling sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick, getting tested for COVID-19 and the flu is recommended. Free COVID-19 testing is available at Sunnyview Expo Center (500 E County Road Y, Oshkosh), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional ways to test for COVID-19 include:

If you test positive for COVID-19, antiviral treatments are available to help prevent serious illness, hospitalization or death. Treatment needs to start within five days of symptoms starting and, even if symptoms are mild, it is essential that people with COVID-19 seek access to a prescribing clinician as soon as possible. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers free telehealth visits with a clinician seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., even on holidays. Appointments are available in multiple languages by video or telephone. If treatment is prescribed, it can be picked up at your local pharmacy or shipped overnight. Insurance is not required. For more information, please visit color.com/consults/antivirals.

For questions about COVID-19, contact the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026 or visit winnebagopublichealth.org.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating a suspicious situation that occurred around 11:00 AM today involving a male approaching a child in the 700 Block of Jackson Street in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 11:26 AM, Officers were notified of a situation where a child was outside of a residence and was approached by a male. During that time, the child’s mom heard the male ask her child if the child wanted a stuffed animal that he was holding. No physical contact occurred between the child and the male.

He is described as a white male, approximately 40 years old, with longer shaggy blonde hair and was last seen wearing a plaid jacket with a grey hood. He left in a blue car which has a white bumper sticker above the tail lamp on the passenger side of the vehicle.

No one was injured during this incident and the incident remains under investigation. If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you live in the area of where this occurred and have video surveillance cameras, we are asking you to review your footage to see if this suspect was recorded on your cameras.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3 App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip; or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org to submit a text tip. If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

The Oshkosh Area School District recently launched a school attendance campaign, centered on helping students understand that attending school matters because they matter.

“Every day a student is absent from school is a lost opportunity for learning and growth,” said Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “Our Attendance Matters campaign is about showing our students and their families that we care about them and are deeply committed to their success.”

The effort, called Attendance Matters: Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow, aims to bring a districtwide approach to promoting school attendance, reinforcing attendance expectations, and promoting how the district and community can support students and families in ensuring they are coming to school ready to learn every day. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to establish a culture of school attendance that leads to higher attendance rates with fewer students being identified as chronically absent.

Research shows that students who consistently miss school are at risk of lower academic achievement, failure and even dropping out of school altogether. Here are some facts:

As part of the Attendance Matters campaign, every OASD student household received a mailing from the District that included a letter from Superintendent Davis, as well as a refrigerator magnet with school start times. The magnet is meant to not only serve as a reminder of what time students need to be at school but also to reinforce the importance of school attendance at home.

“We hope that by bringing more attention to this issue, and by working together with families, we can reduce chronic absences and improve classroom learning for all of our students,” said Davis.

The OASD is also teaming up with TDS Telecom in an effort to celebrate and encourage school attendance at the high school level. Through the TDS Student Appreciation Program, OASD high school students will have the opportunity to be entered into bi-monthly random drawings to win gift cards simply by attending school.

“TDS is proud to support Oshkosh schools through our TDS Student Appreciation Program,” said Jolene Heuchert, TDS Fiber Field Marketing Associate Manager. “The Attendance Matters initiative highlights the importance of school attendance in academic success, and we are excited to be a partner and recognize students who are working hard to achieve their goals.”

To learn more about the OASD’s Attendance Matters campaign, visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/families/attendance-matters.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team presented its first ever We Heart You Celebration of Excellence Award to Chief Tim Styka from the Menasha Police Department.

The We Heart You Celebration of Excellence Award is given to a person or organization that serves the residents of Winnebago County and fits the following description:

“Tim has been a leader on the OFR team, not only with his experience and perspective, but always pushing partners to do better and go beyond their boundaries,” OFR Facilitator Jennifer Skolaski said.

“I’m grateful for his willingness to think differently and push our team to where it is today. He has made a tremendous impact on our work, the community and beyond.” Chief Styka has been with the Winnebago County OFR Team since 2019, working to address the root causes of overdose deaths and make our community a safer place to live, work and be. Chief Styka is a leader of this work. He works with the Menasha Community Addiction Assistance Program (MCAAP) to improve access to treatment and recovery services. He is involved in the Winnebago County’s Overdose Spike Alert Pilot initiative, which tracks nonfatal overdoses and identifies potential intervention and prevention points. He helped institute and find funding for the Solutions Peer Response Team, creating a way for people with lived experience to connect with those struggling with substance use disorder to help prevent overdoses and connect people to resources. Chief Styka is also a member of the OFR Steering Team and was a speaker at the first We Heart You: Recovery in Our Community event in March where he talked about the success of peer recovery teams.

“Chief Styka has created momentum in the community that continues beyond implementation of his work.” said University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Acting Chief of Police and OFR Team Member Chris Tarmann. “His leadership, innovation and commitment to saving lives is shaping a path forward for other law enforcement leaders.”

Menasha Police Department is one of 56 partners representing 37 agencies that work together on the OFR Team to prevent overdose deaths. The team accomplishes this purpose by examining individual, organizational and systems level factors related to overdose deaths that occur in Winnebago County. The reviews focus on systems level change to prevent future deaths and not on identifying fault in organizations or individuals connected to the death being reviewed.

“Chief Styka has gone above and beyond in working with the community to build relationships, identify gaps and contribute meaningful input and action to save lives,” Skolaski said. “Tim has always been the one to understand second plus chances are needed, and he’ll be the first in line to give it.”

To learn more about the Winnebago County OFR Team, visit winnebagopublichealth.org.

Today Kelly DeWitt, lifelong resident of Oshkosh, Merrill Middle School alum, case worker, and mother of two, announced her candidacy for a seat on the Oshkosh School Board. Kelly is running to ensure that Oshkosh public schools continue their tradition of academic success and achievement. She is also going to be an active voice for community input in our public schools while additionally being a champion for responsible budgets.

“Our children, families, and community deserve a leader who is going to roll up their sleeves to do the hard work to raise our test scores, narrow the achievement gap, and improve literacy rates. If we want the best future possible for our kids, we need solutions to improve outcomes, and I want to be a part of finding those solutions.”

Kelly also echoed the disappointment that many in the community have felt when it comes to recent decisions that the Oshkosh Area School District has made specifically on Merrill Middle School and raising the tax levy.

“People don’t feel like they have a voice. We feel we aren’t being listened to when it comes to decisions like Merrill Middle School – a school I went to and a special place that drew the whole community together. We can’t keep going down this path of raising the tax levy while having our ears closed to parents and families in our town. We have to be willing to listen and to be responsible and accountable for our decisions from the classroom to the budget. If we want to raise our test scores, narrow the achievement gap, and improve literacy rates, the whole community has to have buy-in, and if we ignore the people who make our school district special, we aren’t going to make any progress.”

Throughout her professional career as a case worker, Kelly has helped many children and families find self sufficiency by providing resources such as employment training, transportation, and learning how to overcome physical and emotional barriers. This background makes Kelly the right candidate for Oshkosh public schools.

“I want to get back to the basic ABCs of education and collaborate with others to problem solve. My whole career has been focused on raising other people up, and if elected to the school board, I want to continue that work for our kids and families.”

The City of Oshkosh would like to notify citizens that real estate and personal property tax bills are being mailed out the week of December 12, 2022.

The city encourages residents to mail in their tax payments or use the drop box outside the main doors of City Hall. Residents are also encouraged to use the online payment option at www.OshkoshBillPay.com.

Payments can be made in person at City Hall if necessary. City Hall’s business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. City Hall is closed on December 23, 26, and January 2.

In addition, the City is designating Community First Credit Union (1492 South Park Ave., 2424 Westowne Ave., and 2772 Oregon St.) and Associated Bank (10 W. Murdock Avenue and 1765 W 20th Ave) as authorized payment locations for in person payments through January 31. Tax payments must be made during regular business hours in the credit union and bank lobbies.

Individuals are asked to help avoid congestion in City Hall by considering other payment methods before deciding to pay taxes in person this year. Please help us to maintain a safe environment for everyone’s good health.

In order to be credited with a 2022 tax payment, the payment must be received, paid in person at any location, or placed in the drop box located by the main entrance to City Hall by December 30, 2022.

For tax payment information, please visit https://selfservice.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/mss/citizens/RealEstate/Default.aspx . For property valueinformation, call (920) 236-5070.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating a suspicious situation that occurred around 12:00 PM on December 8, 2022 involving a male approaching a child in the 1000 Block of North Washburn Street in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 12:22 PM, Officers were notified of a situation where a child had been in a vehicle while a parent was in a store. During that time, the child indicated that a white male, possibly around 80 years old, approached the vehicle and asked the child if the child wanted candy and told the child that he had a puppy. No physical contact occurred and the male then left in what is described as an older gray minivan style vehicle.

No one was injured during this incident and the incident remains under investigation.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3 App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip; or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org to submit a text tip. If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

The Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation announces the addition of Payton Lehnherr to the position of Workforce Development Coordinator. In this role, Payton will oversee workforce programs like Winnebago Catch-A-Ride for Greater Oshkosh along with labor force research and project facilitation. Payton’s position will encompass business outreach throughout the Greater Oshkosh area as a part of the organization’s regional approach.

“We are delighted for Payton to join our team and excited to expand upon our workforce development program and focus on breaking down barriers to employment,” said Tricia Rathermel, President and CEO of Greater Oshkosh EDC. “Payton’s background in Human Services will be a significant asset in our workforce efforts.” Payton comes to Greater Oshkosh EDC with extensive experience in case management and consulting. Previous roles include Children’s Mental Health Case Manager with Outagamie County and Assistant Volleyball Coach with University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Payton is also the Owner of RISE Volleyball Labs.

Payton is excited to join the team and impact the greater Oshkosh area. “I am excited to connect with area employers and develop programs to assist our businesses and community members.”

On Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. the Oshkosh Fire Department will be dedicating its new Wall of Honor. The dedication will take place at Station 15, 101 Court Street, Oshkosh.

The wall honors both past and active members of the department who were/are veterans, some ofthem dating back to the Civil War. Along with veterans, the wall honors members of the OFD whodied in the line of duty, and the 343 firefighters who perished in the 9/11 attacks.

Funding for this wall was provided by private individuals and businesses, area veteran groups, andOshkosh Firefighters Local 316.

Retired members of the department along with several veteran groups will be on hand for thededication.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating an animal complaint in which a deceased dog was located in the 300 block of Bowen Street in the City of Oshkosh.

On December 2nd, at approximately 4:00 PM, Officers were dispatched to a business located in the 300 block of Bowen Street. Staff from the business called the Oshkosh Police Department to report that they had located a deceased dog behind the business, next to the dumpsters. The dog is described as a female dog, white and black in color and was wearing a red collar. It appears that the dog is between 1- 3 years old and is described as either a Chihuahua or a Rat Terrier mix.

At this time, officers are trying to identify the owner of the dog.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time. If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information aboutthis incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477; or through the P3 App.

The Oshkosh community is one step closer to having a name for its new public elementary school, slated to open in Fall 2024. Students, families, staff members, and interested Oshkosh community members are invited to cast their vote for one of four finalists, selected based off of previous community submissions (listed alphabetically): Jessie Jack Hooper, Menominee, Poberezny, Webster Stanley. The final naming survey will open on Monday, December 5, 2022 and close on Monday, December 12, 2022. The survey link is available on the District’s website at https://www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/school-name-survey.

The OASD School Board is tasked with naming the school – per board policy 7250.01 – and is committed to engaging the community in the process. The survey is designed to provide the school board with input; all input is advisory. Students, parents/guardians, school staff, and the community were invited to submit initial naming suggestions through an open-ended survey in late October and early November. The OASD School Board’s Facilities and Finance Committee reviewed the survey responses and themes. Based on the feedback provided, they selected the top four finalists. The school board invites the public to learn about the finalists and vote for their favorite. A brief summary of the finalists is listed below and voters are encouraged to research each to learn more.

Jessie Jack HooperJessie Jack Hooper (1865 – 1935) was an American activist and suffragist, and a long-time resident of Oshkosh. A local leader in school reform and public health, she joined the women’s suffrage movement in the 1910s and dedicated her life to the movement as a speaker, political leader, and advocate for peace.

Hooper served on the executive board of the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association and worked to pass the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, giving women the right to vote. She served as the first president of the Wisconsin League of Women Voters and made history as the first woman to run for one of Wisconsin’s seats in the United States Senate in 1922.MenomineeThe Menominee, an Algonkian-speaking people, are the only present-day tribe in Wisconsin whose origin story indicates they have always lived in Wisconsin. The City of Oshkosh is located on the ancestral homelands of the Menominee and was named after Menominee Chief Oshkosh.

The new public elementary school will be located across the street from Menominee Park. Originally called North Park, the park was renamed in 1911 when Colonel John Hicks gave the City of Oshkosh a statue of Chief Oshkosh. Menominee Park stretches over 109 acres on the eastern side of stunning Lake Winnebago and is a prime spot to enjoy some of the area’s natural beauty.

PobereznyThe Poberezny family dedicated their lives to aviation and their work has had an incredible impact in Oshkosh.

Paul H. Poberezny (1921 – 2013) is one of the most decorated men in the international aviation community, having received hundreds of trophies, awards, and honors for his countless contributions to the world of flight. He is best known as the founder of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), one of the world’s leading aviation organizations, and EAA AirVenture, the world’s largest annual fly-in event located in Oshkosh, WI. Tom P. Poberezny (1946 – 2022), Paul’s son, was also an accomplished aviator. He had an extensive career serving and leading EAA and EAA AirVenture, including the creation of EAA’s Young Eagles – an aviation youth program.

Webster StanleyWebster Stanley (1798-1878) was the first white settler in what is now Oshkosh. Within several months of his arrival, Stanley built his home and soon established a trading post, a tavern, and an inn. His home served as the city’s first school – where six students were taught for a short period of time – as well as the site of county government until a courthouse was built in 1849.

The current Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle school building will be torn down and replaced by the new public elementary school. The new school will welcome students from Merrill Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Webster Stanley Elementary. (NOTE: Webster Stanley Middle School students will begin attending Vel Phillips Middle School, set to open in Fall 2023.)

Once the new elementary school is named, the District will survey future students, families, and staff to select the school’s mascot and colors.

The new elementary school is one component of the first phase of the District’s long-range facilities plan, which received voter support through the success of the District’s 2020 capital referendum. The new elementary school will be located on the site of the current Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle School. Slated to open for the 2024-2025 school year, it will become home to students currently enrolled at Merrill, Washington, and Webster Stanley Elementary schools. Beth Galeazzi, current principal of Webster Stanley Elementary School, was named principal of the new elementary school in May 2022. Middle school students from Merrill and Webster Stanley will have previously moved to Vel Phillips Middle School which will open for the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/facilities.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Former Winnebago County Circuit Judge LaKeisha Haase announced Monday that she will run for Branch II, the seat currently occupied by Judge Scott Woldt.

“After much consideration and consultation with many in our community, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge,” she said.

“Winnebago County and the state of Wisconsin deserver a judiciary that stands by its ethics and demonstrates a reputation deserving of our vote,” she said. “The community has for too long had a judge undeserving of the position in Branch II. It has caused many grave concern over what should be expected from the bench.”

In 2021 the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Woldt for seven days based on a review of six incidents, including two in which he displayed a handgun.

Haase was appointed to Branch IV in 2020 by Gov. Tony Evers but was defeated for reelection in April.

The Winnebago County Health Department is hosting virtual trainings on recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose and using Narcan (naloxone) to reverse an opioid overdose. The training is free and available to anyone in the community. Upcoming trainings are scheduled for:

“We have seen an increase in overdose deaths in our county over the past two years, and Narcan is one tool we have to save lives,” said Danielle Florence, community health strategist, Winnebago County Health Department. “The more people in our community who have access and training in Narcan, the more affectively we can keep each other safe.”

Narcan is a medication that reverses the effects of opioids and can stop a fatal overdose. Narcan is easy to use and is available locally, free of charge, at the Winnebago County Health Department’s Oshkosh office, Solutions Recovery, Vivent and Unity Recovery Services. Fentanyl test strips can also be found at the health department and Vivent. Visit wchd.pub/winnebagoharmreduction for a map of these locations.

Learn how to reverse an opioid overdose and save lives. Register for an upcoming Narcan training at wchd.pub/narcantraining22 or call the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3000.

The Oshkosh community is invited to support Oshkosh public school students simply by enjoying Jimmy John’s Sandwiches. Thanks to the generosity of Jimmy John’s in Oshkosh, 10% of net sales on Thursday, December 8 will be donated to the Basic Needs Fund of the Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation. The Basic Needs Fund ensures that students have their basic needs met, including transportation, food, hygiene, clothing, shelter, school supplies, or other items they may need immediately or that cannot be found through community partnerships.

Both Jimmy John’s locations in Oshkosh are participating in this community giving event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on December 8. Stop in at either Oshkosh location or place an order for delivery. Jimmy John’s 70 Wisconsin Street | Phone: 920.230.2328 | jimmyjohns.comJimmy John’s 412 S Koeller Street | Phone: 920.232.6600 | jimmyjohns.com

This Sharing the Love Community Event is a simple and delicious way to help students in need and support the OASD Education Foundation’s mission of enhancing the educational experience in the Oshkosh Area School District. Since 2012, the OASD Education foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 in grants benefiting the District’s 21 schools and making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of Oshkosh students and staff.

The OASD Education Foundation engages the community in supporting Oshkosh public schools and is committed to providing resources for innovation, fine arts, athletics, scholarships, and other resources to enhance students’ lives. The OASD Education Foundation funds are managed by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. For more information or to make a donation, contact Theresa Duren at [email protected] or 920.424.0395. Additional information is available at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures announces daily closures of the Main Street Bridge in downtown Oshkosh, Winnebago County, for routine maintenance the week of December 5.

Bridge Maintenance Traffic impacts

Monday, Dec. 5: Main Street Bridge CLOSED 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 6: Main Street Bridge CLOSED 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 7: Back-up day in case of adverse weather.

At Oshkosh North on December 2nd during the North vs. West basketball games, new, unwrapped stuffed animals will be collected to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Milwaukee. Our athletes and greater community can work together to support the vision of the Ronald McDonald House to be an inclusive community where all children facing healthcare needs and their families benefit from their compassionate support by donating a stuffed animal which will certainly brighten their day and lift their spirits. The Oshkosh North boys basketball team will deliver the stuffed animals in person on Dec. 29th when they play in the WBY Shootout in Mequon.

The Oshkosh North girls basketball team will tip off at 6pm vs Oshkosh West girls followed bythe boys’ game at 7:45 pm. Collection boxes for the new, unwrapped stuffed animals will be atthe doors.

If you can’t make it to the game, drop off stuffed animals at Door 7 of Oshkosh North duringschool hours, or you can donate money via check to Oshkosh North Hoops Club c/o Brad Weberat Oshkosh North or via Venmo @northhoops and we will do the shopping for you!

GO Transit will be ending its Oshkosh bus routes at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022. The change is due to restricted access for routes during the Oshkosh Holiday Parade, which is scheduled to take place that evening. Riders need to be aware of the schedule change and plan accordingly.

Route 10, the GO Transit route that connects to Neenah and Valley Transit, will remain on its normal schedule. All routes will return to their normal schedule on Friday, December 2, 2022.

For more information about GO Transit schedules, visit www.RideGOTransit.com or call theOshkosh Transportation Department at (920) 232-5340.

The Oshkosh Fire Department’s 24 th Annual Food and Toy Drive begins tomorrow, Nov. 29th at Station14, 2050 Knapp Street at 5:00 PM. We will be going through the south side of the city (map attached) with Santa, on an antique fire engine, spreading holiday cheer and collecting donations to ensure that all families have a happy holidays. We are accepting non-perishable food items, new/unwrapped gifts, wrapping paper/tape, and cash donations. All donations will be given to the Salvation Army and distributed through their distribution program.

Monetary donations (and checks) will be given to the Oshkosh Firefighters Charitable Trust and be used to fund the Gary Kassube scholarship, given to two graduating Oshkosh seniors enrolled in a police or fire science program. Donations can also be dropped off at any of the six Oshkosh fire stations between now and December 12th.

The schedule is as follows:Tuesday, November 29th – Station 14 (south side of the city)Wednesday, November 30th – Station 15 (central city)Monday, December 5th – Station 16 (west side of the city)Thursday, December 8th – Station 17/19 (northwest side of the city)Tuesday, December 13th -Station 18 (northeast side of the city)

All routes begin between 5 and 5:30pm. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @OshkoshFoodToy for further updates throughout the drive.

Last year, we collected over 4,700 pounds of food, nearly $4,900 in monetary donations, and 1,177 toys for an estimated retail value of $23,568. Due to the record setting amount of monetary donations, we were able to double our scholarship amount for each school. This was all done through the generosity of the people of Oshkosh.

We are very grateful to our partners for their assistance over the years: Oshkosh Police and Fire Equipment, The Salvation Army, and Communities at Oshkosh North High School.

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated a disturbance involving a male armed with a handgun at a residence in the 800 Block of Wisconsin Street in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 3:24 PM, Officers were notified of a disturbance where people were arguing and a firearm had been discharged. Upon arrival officers located a male standing in the parking lot and took him into custody at 3:28 PM without incident. He is identified as a 51 year old male from Oshkosh. The investigation determined that the male had discharged the weapon into the air and he was taken into custody within four minutes of police being notified.

No one was injured during this incident. The 800 block of Wisconsin Street was closed for about 20 minutes and the road was opened after that. The male was arrested and taken to the Winnebago County Jail. This appears to be an isolated incident. The incident remains under investigation.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact theOshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, pleasecontact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip; or go towww.winnebagocrimestoppers.org to submit a text tip. If your tip leads to an arrest, youmay be eligible for a cash reward.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating an animal complaint involving cats being left outside a business in the 500 block of Doctors Court in the City of Oshkosh sometime between November 17, 2022 and November 21, 2022.

On November 21, 2022, workers at the business discovered that 7 cats had been left in animal crates, outside the business. The business contacted the nearby Oshkosh Area Humane Society who checked and discovered the cats deceased, possibly due to the below freezing temperatures the cats had been left in.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time and the Oshkosh Police Department is working with the Oshkosh Area Humane Society. Officers are looking to speak with the owners of the cats.

The Oshkosh Police Department would like to remind citizens who are considering surrendering an animal to reach out to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society to discuss options. Additional information on the process can be found on their website.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact theOshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, pleasecontact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip; or go towww.winnebagocrimestoppers.org to submit a text tip. If your tip leads to an arrest, youmay be eligible for a cash reward.

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated a disturbance involving a male armed with a handgun at a residence in the 1100 Block of Central Street in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 12:38 PM, Officers were notified of a disturbance between a male and a female and were told that the male had a handgun in his possession. Upon arrival officers located this male standing in the driveway with a handgun. He is identified as a 29 year old male from Oshkosh. This male discharged the weapon into the ground while in the driveway and was taken into custody within twominutes of this occurring. No one was injured during this incident.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

An open meeting has been scheduled for next month to start a community conversation about how best to promote public arts in Oshkosh.

The discussion will be led by Anne Katz, executive director of Create Wisconsin, a statewide arts organization that works to champion the arts as a tool for building community and supporting economic development.

“I’ve been meeting with artists, arts organizations, influencers and community leaders to build support and ultimately create a collaborative structure around public arts in the Oshkosh community,” said Drew Mueske, of Hype Visual, a local company that describes itself as a creative branding agency.

“The initial goal was to build support and bring the arts community into a collaborative creative conversation that would begin with a public arts forum and hopefully create enough interest to build into a structure that can significantly advance public arts in Oshkosh,” Mueske said.

The open meeting, or “public arts forum,” will be held Dec. 7 at Beckets, starting with appetizers and networking at 5:30 p.m. Presentations will start at 6 p.m. with the community discussion to follow.

A Facebook page has been created for the event. Sponsors include Beckets, Hype Visual and the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau.

An evening of fine food, beer sampling, live music, and more is coming to the EAA Aviation Museum on Saturday evening, March 11, with the inaugural “Flight at the Museum” fundraiser. The reception, multi-course dinner and entertainment will run from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., with proceeds benefiting EAA’s museum youth education programs.

Designed as an upscale food and drink experience, Flight at the Museum will pair fine cuisine from TJ’s Highland Steakhouse of Oshkosh with a variety of beverages from Stone Arch Brewery of Appleton. During the pre-dinner reception, premium beers from 20 breweries will be available for sampling alongside a variety of hors d’oeuvres.

“A variety of evolving factors led us to create this unique event, which provides an experience and atmosphere unlike anything else in the region,” said Chris Farrell, Director of Events at EAA. “The quality of food, drink, and entertainment will be outstanding for a memorable evening in support of our youth education activities.”

Award-winning and internationally known vocalist Janet Planet and her combo will provide entertainment during the dinner, with The JazzMen playing during the pre-dinner reception. Stone Arch Brewery will also have samples of various beer contending to be the brew that will honor EAA’s 70th anniversary in 2023, with attendees voting for the two finalists to be considered.

Tickets are available for $150 per person and at a discounted rate of $125 each for EAA members. Tickets and more information are available at the Flight at the Museum website (EAA.org/FlightAtTheMuseum). The event is supported by the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau and Duluth Trading Company.

GO Transit’s bus service will not be operating on Thursday, November 24th, 2022, because of the city’s observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. GO Transit’s office, located at 926 Dempsey Trail, will also be closed on November 24th.

Regular GO Transit operations will resume on Friday, November 25th.

For more information on GO Transit, please like GO Transit on Facebook, follow GO Transit on Twitter, visit www.rideGOtransit.com or call (920) 232-5340.

The EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh has a direct connection to events and people highlighted in the new major motion picture Devotion, which premieres in theaters on Nov. 23.

EAA’s permanent Corsair exhibit, which opened in April 2022, features an aircraft flown by Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Hudner, who is one of the main characters in the new Sony Pictures release based on the real-life Korean War exploits of Hudner and Jesse Brown, the first Black naval aviator. The movie stars Jonathan Majors as Jesse Brown, Glen Powell as Thomas Hudner, and Joe Jonas as Marty Goode.

The EAA-owned aircraft was flown by Hudner on subsequent Navy assignments following his Korean War deployment. Hudner and Brown are prominently featured in the EAA exhibit. When the exhibit opened in April, Thomas Hudner Jr. and Jamal Wright – grandson of Jesse Brown – were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Thurs., Dec. 1

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

F Stop: Joy Photo Exhibit, 7 – 9 p.m., all ages

Fri., Dec. 2

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-11

Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6-8

Young Adult Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 9-12

Sat., Dec. 3

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids

Mon., Dec. 5

Book Buzz: Dreamland, 8 a.m., YouTube

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Wed., Dec. 7

Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1-4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids

DIY Decorations, 5 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Dec. 8

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Butte des Morts, WI: Its People and Its History, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., Dec. 9

Great Reads 2022, 9 a.m., YouTube

Crafternoon, 2 – 4 p.m., all ages

Elementary Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 5-8

Sat., Dec. 10

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids

Oshkosh Youth Choir concert, 12:30 p.m., all ages

Mon., Dec. 12

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Tues., Dec. 13

Banned Book Club at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., adults

OAMTA Presents: Winter Recital, 6:30 p.m., all ages

Wed., Dec. 14

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Memory Café: Madrigal Choir, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids

Thurs., Dec. 15

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., Dec. 16

DIY Decorations, 9 – 10:30 a.m., kids of all ages

Sat., Dec. 17

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids

DIY Decorations, 10 a.m. – noon, kids

Sun., Dec. 18

Movies with Friends, 1 p.m., all ages

Mon., Dec. 19

Wild Winter Read Off begins, all ages

Tues., Dec. 20

Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adults

Wed., Dec. 21

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids

Fri., Dec. 23

Library closed

Sat., Dec. 24

Library closed

Sun., Dec. 25

Library closed

Tues., Dec. 27

Crafternoon, 2 – 4 p.m., all ages

Wed., Dec. 28

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids

Sat., Dec. 31

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids

The City of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the City’s observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Thursday, November 24 moves to Friday, November 25. Garbage and recycling scheduled for Friday, November 25 moves to Saturday, November 26. Regular services will resume on Monday, November 28.

Additionally, the city’s yard waste drop-off center located on W 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) will also be closed for the holiday on Thursday, November 24. The drop-off center will re-open on Friday, November 25. The yard waste drop-off center will also be open on Saturday, November 26.

Winter hours for the yard waste drop-off center will be in effect from December 1, 2022 thru March 31, 2023. The winter hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, the drop-off center is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the winter schedule.

Residential curbside brush collection for December will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the week of December 5 through December 9.

If you would like more information please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

Lakeside Marina announced today a new way for people to go boating in Oshkosh. On The Fox Boat Club. The club offers memberships that provide unlimited use of brand-new boats that can be enjoyed with friends and family on the Winnebago water system.

Members simply go to the club website to reserve a date and pick out which boat they’ll be using. Then the boat is in a slip waiting for them when they arrive that day – a similar structure to a traditional golfing country club. All the hassles of boat ownership like cleaning, fueling, launching, loading, and maintaining are handled by Lakeside Marina.

“We’re so excited to bring a boat club to Lakeside Marina,” said Marketing Manager Sawyer Erickson. “Oshkosh has such amazing access to local boating hotspots and we want more people to be able to enjoy those. This is a really easy way for more families to make memories out on the water.”

Eliminating the long list of costs that come with buying and owning a boat, including loan payments, slip fees, cleaning, maintenance, and insurance makes it easier for more people to enjoy the lifestyle that typically only boat owners can take advantage of.

“We understand that not everyone can afford a boat – it’s not cheap,” said Sales Manager Corey Bodenbach. “This is a much more affordable way to enjoy the boating lifestyle with your friends and family. Members don’t have to worry about all of the expenses that really add up fast on top of the loan payments that most people have from buying a boat in the first place. We take care of all that so you can just go boating and have fun.”

Members-only boat-sharing groups have become a popular option in recent years as inflation and enthusiastic demand have driven the price of new and used boats higher than ever.

“We have a passion for enjoying our local waterways and we knew we had to offer an alternative to buying a boat that still gets people out there enjoying the same things,” said Lakeside Marina Owner and President Joe Honsa. “There’s nothing better than spending the day with your friends or family out at the sandbar or going fishing with your kids for the day. Those are the really good times that everyone remembers.”

On The Fox Boat Club is located at Lakeside Marina in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and is conveniently positioned along the shores of the Fox River between Lake Butte Des Morts and Lake Winnebago. Membership information, pricing, and applications are available at OnTheFoxBoatClub.com for the 2023 boating season.

An Alcoholic Anonymous group is meeting Saturdays at 7 a.m. at the Omro Community Center on West Larrabee Street. The name of the group is Early Risers. This is a closed meeting, meaning that is is for A.A. members only, or for those who have a drinking problem and “have a desire to stop drinking.”

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures (BOS) announces completion of installation of a new gearbox and components on the south leaf of Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in the city of Oshkosh, Winnebago County. The bridge will open to vehicle traffic by 3 p.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022.

The installation began Monday, Nov. 14, and crews tested the installation today. The installation went according to plan, and no issues were found with the new parts or components.

The bridge closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on May 25, 2022 after a bridge inspector discovered damaged gear teeth in the gearbox on the south leaf during a routine inspection. A subsequent investigation revealed additional damage in the gearbox that required a new gearbox.

Bridge engineers reviewed the excessive wear on the gears and believe a misaligned bearing caused instability in the gearbox resulting in the gear wear. WisDOT investigated gear components on similar bridges and found no issues with gear wear.

On Monday, Nov. 14. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin distributed more than 300 Thanksgiving Turkeys at Oshkosh Area Community Pantry (OACP).

Secretary-designee at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, RandyRomanski, was in attendance. While visiting the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, Secretary Romanskireceived a tour that focused on many capacity-building investments funded by DATCP grants and helpedhand out turkeys that were also funded by DATCP.

“Partnerships like those with the Oshkosh community and Feeding Wisconsin are critical to increasingaccess to nutritious foods across the state,” said Secretary Randy Romanski, “Through the Governor’sinvestments in the Food Security Initiative, DATCP and Feeding Wisconsin food banks are helpingconnect those experiencing food insecurity with products from farmers and processors right here inWisconsin.”

OACP is a non-profit food pantry that was formed to help meet the needs of the community. Today,OACP distributes more than one million pounds of food to over 31,000 guests per year. President andCEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Patti Habeck, as well as the Executive Director of FeedingWisconsin, Stephanie Jung-Dorfman, were also in attendance.

“It was a great sight to see Secretary Romanski interact with one of the state’s most effective foodpantries in OACP,” said Patti Habeck, President and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “Thefight against hunger is year-round, but we are all committed to keeping the tradition of a holiday mealalive in every community that we serve. Programs such as DATCP are vital in ensuring that our communities have access to healthy and nutritious meals.

The holiday spirit will be in full swing as EAA hosts its traditional “Christmas in the Air” open house from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh.

This community event is free for guests of all ages and will feature performances from local music, choral, and dance groups. Santa Claus will arrive by helicopter (weather permitting) at noon followed by a tree lighting ceremony and photos. Children can also write letters to Santa that he will take with him on his flight back to the North Pole.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to benefit Father Carr’s Place 2B, and a new, unwrapped toy for the annual “Toys for Tots” drive sponsored by the Marine Corps Reserve and Winnegamie Home Builders Association

Christmas in the Air is presented by Festival Foods, with additional support from Bank First, Renewal by Andersen, Belville & Associates Chiropractic Clinic, Cousin’s Subs, Faris Gourmet Popcorn, Glow in the Park Indoor Mini Golf, Heid Music, Insomnia Cookies, Lamers Dairy, Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Parker John’s BBQ & Wings. Media sponsors include WOSH and WVBO Radio.

About EAA Aviation Museum

The EAA Aviation Museum is located just off Interstate 41 at the Highway 44 exit in Oshkosh. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAA members receive free museum admission year-round. For more information, call the EAA Aviation Museum at (920) 426-4818 or visit www.EAA.org/museum.

Algoma Boulevard between Wisconsin Street and Congress Avenue is anticipated to fully re-open to traffic on the morning of Friday, November 18th. Due to material delays and private utility scheduling conflicts, the opening of Algoma Boulevard has been delayed from its original completion date.

High Avenue scheduled to return to one-way traffic – High Avenue traffic will also return to one-way traffic on Friday, November 18th in conjunction with Algoma Boulevard re-opening. Signs have been posted along High Avenue to notify motorists of the traffic pattern changes.

For more information about this and other construction projects, please visit the city’s Department of Public Works web page athttps://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/PublicWorks/ or contact the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department at (920) 236-5065.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating a suspicious situation that took place at a residence in the 1500 block of Covington Drive in the City of Oshkosh.

Earlier this morning at approximately 6:36 AM, a citizen reported to Officers that a male unknown to her had entered into her residence at around 5:30 AM. She stated that he had physical contact with her but that she was not injured during the encounter. The female stated the male ultimately fled from her home. She described him as wearing dark clothing and a cloth face mask which covered the lower portion of his face.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time. If you live in the area of where this occurred and have video surveillance cameras, we are asking you to review your footage to see if this suspect was recorded on your cameras from about 12:00 AM- 6:00 AM. If citizens have video surveillance they want to share with Detective Robertson, please forward the video to [email protected]

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477; or through the P3 App.

This is a message from the city’s Department of Public Works:

Due to material delays and private utility scheduling conflicts, the opening of Algoma Boulevard has been delayed. Algoma Boulevard is now anticipated to re-open fully to traffic the morning of November 18th High Avenue traffic will also return to one-way traffic in conjunction with Algoma Boulevard re-opening on November 18th.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures (BOS) announces repairs begin Monday, November 14, 2022 to install a new gear box and components on the south leaf span of Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in the city of Oshkosh, Winnebago County. The bridge has been closed since May due to damaged gear components.

All dates and times are subject to change due to weather or unexpected installation issues.

Updated Oregon/Jackson Street bridge repair schedule

The bridge closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on May 25, 2022 after a bridge inspector discovered damaged gear teeth in the gearbox on the south leaf span during a routine inspection. A subsequent investigation revealed additional damage in the gearbox that required a new gear box.

Bridge engineers reviewed the excessive wear on the gears and believe a misaligned bearing caused instability in the gearbox resulting in the gear wear. WisDOT investigated gear components on similar bridges and found no issues with gear wear.

The Oshkosh West High School (OWHS) Distinguished Alumni Committee is pleased to announce that it is accepting nominations for its 2023 OWHS Distinguished Alumni Award. Nominations will be accepted through November 30, 2022. The nomination form is available online via the following link: tinyurl.com/6pg5mgw. Additional information is also available on the Oshkosh West High School website at oshkosh-west-high.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/about-us/distinguished-alumni.

The purpose of the OWHS Distinguished Alumni Award is to recognize outstanding alumni of Oshkosh West High School who have maintained a high standard of excellence and distinguished themselves through their work, personal accomplishments, or in the lives of others. These individuals exemplify the values of Oshkosh West High School and should be held as role models for current and future Oshkosh West students.

Through this award program, Oshkosh West is able to honor a variety of individuals who have excelled in their professions, are role models, and/or provide leadership to students. The 2023 recipient will be recognized during a special ceremony at Oshkosh West High School. Each year, the ceremony is structured around the desires of the award recipient. Past recipients have addressed the student body with powerful messages about their success and how they achieved what they did in life.

For additional information, please contact Cory Beaulieu, Oshkosh West High School Assistant Principal at [email protected] or Justin Hable, Oshkosh West High School Spanish Teacher at [email protected].

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating a human trafficking situation involving a business located at 234 North Koeller Road in the City of Oshkosh.

Detectives and Investigators from the Oshkosh Police Department have been investigating a business called Xinchen Massage which is located at 234 North Koeller Road, and determined that illegal sexual contact was taking place.

Detectives and Investigators made contact at the business and two female employees were detained and interviewed. Further investigation revealed potential evidence of Human Trafficking.

The Oshkosh Police Department continues to be vigilant in our efforts to combat Human Trafficking. Human Trafficking awareness it vitally important. Some signs/things that may be associated with Human Trafficking involving a business are: long working hours, proximity of residence to business, lack of personal belongings in the home, large amounts of cash and only male customers. For a variety of reasons, it can be very hard for Human Trafficking victims to get out of these situations. We partner with local non-profit organizations so that resources can be quickly provided to victims. The Oshkosh Police Department strives to reduce the number of victims by doing proactive investigations and being vigilantin our efforts to combat Human Trafficking.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time. The Oshkosh Police Department is also working with other organizations regarding this incident.

The Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education has appointed Angie Lee to the vacant seat created by the resignation of Bob Poeschl in September.

The Board selected Angie Lee from a total of seven candidates that interviewed for the position during a Special Board Meeting in open session on Wednesday, November 2. Lee’s term, which began after she took the oath of office on Wednesday, will run through the spring election in April 2023. If she chooses, Lee will have the opportunity to run for a seat and full term in the April election.

“Angie understands that all means all and is committed to supporting the hopes and dreams of children and families,” said Barb Herzog, OASD Board of Education President. “Her extensive experience teaching students of color and students living in poverty, as well as her experience teaching literacy, align with the Board’s goals of improving literacy performance and making sure that all students are successful and college, career, and community ready.”

Angie Lee, a parent in the Oshkosh Area School District, has spent the majority of her career in education. She received a Masters in Education in 2005 and has served diverse school populations, including Booker T. Washington Elementary, a dual language school in Champaign, Illinois. Her teaching experience includes serving as a bilingual cross categorical teacher, bilingual literacy interventionist, and most recently a cross categorical teacher at Horace Mann Middle School in Neenah, WI. Lee currently works as a client relations specialist, brand storyteller and DEI consultant for a creative agency. Additionally, she is leading two Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees for the City of Oshkosh and the New North Community Workstream.

As a member of the school board, Lee said her priorities will align with those of the Board and District in ensuring success for all children.

“I understand that this work is not about me, it is about serving a higher purpose,” said Angie Lee. “I have been incredibly fortunate to be invited to conversations that involve collectively elevating our community. It is my hope to serve as a model for our minority children, and use my voice to increase educational outcomes for all.”

Vacancies on the school board are filled in by the remaining members of the board in accordance with state law and in compliance with the procedural guidelines outlined in boardpolicy 0142.5. Applications for the vacant seat were accepted from October 13 – October 27, 2022.

“Each of the seven candidates interviewed were clearly qualified to fill our vacant board seat.On behalf of the school board, I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who expressed interestand were willing to serve our District and community,” said Herzog.

This is news release from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office:

On 11/02/22 at around 11:18 am, deputies working inside the Winnebago County Jail observed that anadult male inmate appeared unresponsive. The deputies immediately acted and began life-saving measures, while additional deputies, jail nursing staff, and the Oshkosh Fire Department were summoned.

Lifesaving measures continued but were not successful, and the man was pronounced deceased.

As is protocol for any in custody death, this investigation has been turned over to an outside agency; theFond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office will be leading this investigation.

The name of the male inmate will not be released at this time, pending notification of family.

Amcor CEO Ron Delia said: “Amcor delivered a strong first quarter highlighted by solid operating leverage with 3% organic sales growth driving a 10% increase in adjusted earnings per share on a comparable constant currency basis. Both the Flexibles and Rigid Packaging segments contributed to adjusted EBIT growth of 9% on a comparable constant currency basis.

The result demonstrates the relative stability of our end market exposures, our relentless focus on recovering higher raw material costs and general inflation, and our proactive approach to driving costs out of the business. Our consistent execution has enabled us to generate strong organic earnings growth in a volatile and challenging operating environment and gives us confidence in our ability to achieve our adjusted EPS and free cash flow outlook for the FY23 year.

We remain focused on executing against our strategy for long term growth. Amcor consistently generates significant annual cash flow, providing substantial capacity to reinvest for future growth and to return cash to shareholders through an attractive and growing dividend and regular share repurchases. We believe the strength of our underlying business, proven execution capabilities and capital allocation framework position us well to deliver strong and consistent value for shareholders and supports our compelling investment case.”

The public is invited to the Oshkosh Public Museum, 1331 Algoma Blvd, on Saturday November 5th at 1:00 pm for a short historical program and light refreshments to commemorate the first public meeting held in the Museum 100 years ago and the 100th anniversary of the Oshkosh League of Women Voters, now LWV Winnebago County.

The Oshkosh League was organized in 1922, and was the first public meeting that was held a century ago in the library of the Sawyer House, now the Oshkosh Public Museum. As the ”first” group to use the Sawyer House, the League chose to advertise that the program that evening was to be the first in a series of 10 lectures on “Women and Government,” by Professor F. E. Mitchell of the Normal School. It was emphasized that “it is the aim of the League to be entirely non-partisan and therefore the lectures will have nothing to do with partisan politics.”

The Sawyer House was not yet prepared for public meetings, as the City had just taken charge of the Sawyer Foundation, and the League’s officers, Mrs. H. B. Osgood, and Mrs. G. A. Buckstaff, had been granted special permission to hold the meeting.

The City of Oshkosh had not yet officially decided to turn the home into a city museum. Also, there were no chairs in the house, so League members spread the word to “bring your own chair.” There was no charge for the lecture that evening and those interested in attending could “take the street car right to the door.” You will not need to bring your own chair. Overflow parking during street construction is available at the River Valley Church, 1331 High Ave.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.

The following person is being released:DAKOTA J. DEGROOT M/W 04-07-1997 is being released on November22, 2022 to 2847 FOND DU LAC RD in the City of Oshkosh.

The offender was convicted in 2016 of 2 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography. The victims ofthe images he possessed were females ages 5-12 years old and were not known to the offender.

SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS/REQUIREMENTS:1.) NO UNSUPERVISED CONTACT WITH MINORS; NO CONTACT WITH VICTIM; NOT TO CONSUME DRUGS.2.) COMPLY WITH STANDARD SEX OFFENDER RULES; COOPERATE WITH ELECTRONIC MONITORING.3.) FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT REQUIRED; COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS AND LIFETIME REGISTRANT OF WI SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY.

DAKOTA DEGROOT will be residing at 2847 RM #3 FOND DU LAC RD in Oshkosh, WI as ofNOVEMBER 22, 2022. He is on probation/parole until 11/26/2028 and on lifetime GPS. For moreinformation check www.widocoffenders.org.

The city of Oshkosh is pleased to announce it is conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey for all residents. The survey includes questions about community characteristics, services provided by Oshkosh and priorities for the future. Residents are invited to complete the survey by visiting https://polco.us/22oshkosh. Some residents have randomly received the survey by mail as part of the statistically valid sample. The survey is open today, November 1st, through November 15th, and is available in English and Spanish.

City staff have been working with independent consultant, Polco, to develop the survey. The instrument, known as the National Community Survey (NCS), allows the City of Oshkosh to compare results and benchmark residents’ opinions against other communities across the nation. The NCS is a scientific survey used in more than 350 jurisdictions across 46 states. While Oshkosh has been conducting citizen surveys annually since 2009, this is the first year that Oshkosh is implementing the NCS.

The NCS was among the first scientific surveys developed to gather residents’ opinions on a range of community issues. Municipalities using the NCS have reported that the tool improved service delivery, strengthened communications with community stakeholders and helped leaders identify clear priorities for use in strategic planning and budget development. The NCS is the only resident survey endorsed by the International City/County Management Association and the National League of Cities. Survey results are expected in mid-December and will be made available via the city of Oshkosh website. Residents with questions about the survey may contact the City Manager’s office by phone at (920) 236-5002 or by email at [email protected].

Are you interested in becoming a better grant writer? Join us for a conversation with grant writing experts Jessica Wildes, MPA and Erin Schultz-Wege, MSW. You will learn tips and tricks for writing successful grant proposals for public and nonprofit organizations. We will be covering topics such as how to find grants that are a good fit, changes in the funding landscape, storytelling and creativity in the writing process, building relationships with funders and the importance of collaboration.

Whitburn Wednesdays Event Series:Grant Writing: Tips and Tricks for the Public and NonprofitWednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 | 12 to 1 p.m. | Location: Zoom

Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), today announced the first grant awards for the new program announced by Gov. Evers in August to provide financial assistance to well owners to support the replacement, reconstruction, treatment, or abandonment of contaminated private wells. Today, the governor and DNR announced five grants have been awarded to improve drinking water quality in Marathon, Portage, and Winnebago counties, including two well compensation grants totaling $30,791 and three well abandonment grants totaling $4,144.

“Clean water shouldn’t be a luxury, it’s a necessity—but too often the cost of cleaning up contaminated wells can be expensive, burdensome, and unattainable for so many folks across our state,” said Gov. Evers. “Every Wisconsinite should have access to clean, safe drinking water, and we’re working to invest in making sure Wisconsinites across our state, including well owners in Marathon, Portage, and Winnebago counties, have support to help keep their kids, loved ones, and communities healthy and safe.”

These new programs, made possible by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, are a $10 million commitment from Gov. Evers to improve drinking water quality for private well owners across the state. With this $10 million investment and broader eligibility criteria than what was previously provided by the state’s existing Well Compensation Grant Program, it is estimated the ARPA Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Programs could help well owners address contamination in more than 1,030 wells across the state.

DNR began accepting applications for the programs on Oct. 3, 2022, and in the first three weeks of the application period, has received nearly two dozen applications from every region in the state. DNR will continue to accept and review applications until the funding is exhausted.

More information regarding the ARPA Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Programs is available on the DNR website here. Applicants and contractors interested in more information are invited to register and attend a webinar about the ARPA Well Grant Compensation and Abandonment Grant Programs at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10, 2022. General inquiries regarding the grant program can be directed to [email protected].

All veterans and current active military members are welcome free of charge to the EAA Aviation Museum on Friday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day.

Among some of the newest exhibits in the museum’s Eagle Hangar, which salutes the men, women, and aircraft involved in military service:

Corsair: Korean War Heroism – This exhibit features the EAA Aviation Museum’s F4U Corsair, which has a link to one of the Korean War’s most harrowing stories. On December 4, 1950, Thomas Hudner crash-landed his Corsair behind enemy lines in an attempt to save fellow pilot Jesse Brown, the U.S. Navy’s first Black naval aviator. Assigned to replace one of the lost aircraft, the museum’s Corsair went on to be flown by Thomas Hudner himself, as well as the friends and comrades of these two extraordinary men.

Huey: The Workhorse of Vietnam – This exhibit, opened in August 2020, features a UH-1 Huey helicopter that is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War while part of three tours with the 121st Assault Helicopter Company based out of Soc Trang. It was the last time this aircraft flew, and the combat and bullet hole repairs, along with the weathered interior sections, are still visible in the airframe as it appeared when shipped back to the U.S. In the past month, the aircraft’s actual unit markings have been restored to the helicopter’s fuselage.

More information is available at EAA.org/VeteransDay.

The signs of an opioid overdose and using Narcan (naloxone) to reverse an opioid overdose. The training is free and available to anyone in the community. Upcoming trainings are scheduled for:

“We have seen an increase in overdose deaths in our county over the past two years, and Narcan is one tool we have to save lives,” said Danielle Florence, community health strategist, Winnebago County Health Department. “The more people in our community who have access and training in Narcan, the more effectively we can keep each other safe.”

Narcan is a medication that reverses the effects of opioids and can stop a fatal overdose. Narcan is easy to use and is available locally, free of charge, at the Winnebago County Health Department’s Oshkosh location, Solutions Recovery, Vivent and Unity Recovery Services. Fentanyl test strips can also be found at the health department and Vivent. For a map of locations, visit wchd.pub/narcanlocations.

Learn how to reverse an opioid overdose and save lives. Register for an upcoming Narcan training at wchd.pub/narcantraining22 or call the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3000.

A necklace made from skin off of EAA’s very own North American B-25 Mitchell Berlin Express is among the items highlighted in this year’s edition of the holiday gift guide, now available online.

These unique B-25 jewelry items were created after the aircraft was recently restored to its current flightworthy status, a restoration that included replacement of some metal sections of the airplane’s fuselage. The pendant of the handmade necklace is a piece of B-25 skin complete with the paint chips and other imperfections that were part of the aircraft. Aviation enthusiasts have two options for the pendant, a circle, or a rectangular shape. Both have a retail price of $68. Two styles of circular earrings are also available for $48 each. The jewelry is available in limited quantities with only 24 of each design made.

Other notable items in the gift guide include AirVenture’s very own Brown Arch snow globes, BenShot propeller drinkware, and a variety of EAA-branded clothing.

The holiday gift guide can be viewed online or in the November issue of Sport Aviation. EAA members save 10% on all regular priced goods in store and online.

The Oshkosh High School Class of 1962 recently chose to pay it forward to benefit current students in the Oshkosh Area School District. Members of the Oshkosh High School Class of 1962 gathered to present a $350 donation to the OASD’s Brewing Futures Mobile CAFE.

The Oshkosh High School Class of 1962 recently celebrated their 60th class reunion, with a reception at South Park in Oshkosh. As reunion organizers considered what to do with the remaining funds that were collected to cover the cost of their event their focus was on doing something good for current Wildcats and Spartans.

“These amazing alumni are literally paying it forward,” said Linda Pierron, OASD Director of Special Education. “This generous donation will go directly to paying our high school students with special needs for their time working in our Brewing Futures Mobile CAFE. Our students not only get real-world employability training, but they get paid for the time they are working and serving on the food truck. The Oshkosh Class of 1962 is supporting 35 hours of work and training for our students. We appreciate their generosity and kindness.”

The Brewing Futures Mobile CAFE (Coaching Ability For Employment) is a customized and fully accessible food truck focused on hands-on learning for students of all abilities. The Brewing Futures Mobile CAFE is operated by OASD high school students who receive special education services, and it is helping the Oshkosh community understand how valuable these future employees are. The food truck takes student learning and community engagement to the next level ensuring that all students are equipped for their futures beyond high school. To learn more, visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/special-education/brewing-futures-mobile-cafe.

Oshkosh Area United Way seeks nominations for the Sue Panek Community Impact Award, which recognizes leaders who have positively impacted our community.

The Sue Panek Community Impact Award is a prestigious community award named in honor of Sue Panek, who served as OAUW’s Executive Director for 25 years until her well-earned retirement in 2018. Sue dedicated her career to identifying needs, bringing together partners, and engaging the community to find solutions to social issues in Oshkosh.

This award is presented each year to an individual or group from the Oshkosh area that exemplifies the same commitment to the community as Sue. Nominees should have a record of impactful work in one of OAUW’s three initiatives: financial stability, early childhood education, and/or mental health.

Last year’s winner, Molly Smiltneek, is one of those people. Ms. Smiltneek embodies the servant leader’s spirit and exemplifies extraordinary service in multiple initiatives listed above.

“The Sue Panek Community Impact Award celebrates those whose efforts have made a significant positive impact in our community,” said Amy Sitter, OAUW Board Chair. “Honorees are noted for tackling crucial needs in our area with their time and talent and for changing the lives of our neighbors who need it most.”

All nominations must be received on Friday, December 1, 2022. Nominations can be submitted through our online form at oshkoshunitedway.org/sue-panek-community-impact-award. The recipient will be honored at Oshkosh Area United Way’s Day of Caring, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The award includes a $1,000.00 donation to a local nonprofit organization of the recipient’s choice.

For more information, call 920-235-8560 or email [email protected].

Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading innovator of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, today reported fiscal 2022 third quarter net income of $59.3 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, compared to $89.7 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Adjusted1 net income was $66.0 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 and $72.6 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Comparisons in this news release are to the three months ended September 30, 2021, unless otherwise noted.

Adjusted1 net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 excludes charges of $4.6 million for the release of cumulative translation adjustment losses upon the liquidation of foreign entities in the Access Equipment segment and a $2.1 million impairment of an intangible asset in the Commercial segment. Adjusted1 net income for the three months ended September 30, 2021 excludes an $11.7 million tax benefit associated with the release of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in Europe and a $5.4 million tax benefit associated with the carryback of a U.S. net operating loss to prior years with higher federal statutory rates.

“We are pleased with the strong sequential quarterly earnings growth Oshkosh team members delivered, which demonstrates that our pricing actions to combat inflation are working,” stated John C. Pfeifer, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief executive officer. “Supply chain disruptions remain our most significant challenge and continue to limit our production rates and contribute to manufacturing inefficiencies. Supply chain factors were the primary driver which led to a revenue shortfall of approximately $130 million compared to our expectations for the quarter. Despite the revenue shortfall, our adjusted operating income of $114 million, led by strong price realization, was in line with our expectations.

“In particular, our Access Equipment team delivered 23 percent year-over-year revenue growth and a more than 700 basis point operating margin improvement, culminating in a 10.9 percent operating income margin, or an 11.3 percent adjusted operating margin, for the quarter. We continue to improve supply chain resiliency through a combination of dual and alternate sourcing actions as well as technical redesign of some components, which we expect will help us strengthen our performance.

“During the quarter, we submitted our proposal for the follow-on JLTV contract. As the winner of the original JLTV program, we are confident in the many strengths of our proposal for this important opportunity. We believe our manufacturing capabilities and technological innovations, such as eJLTV, position us well for the program, which we believe could be worth nearly $10 billion in revenue when fully executed. The expected award date is early 2023.

“Given strong ongoing customer demand, solid price realization and our efforts to manage supply chain dynamics, we continue to expect full year fiscal 2022 adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $3.50. We believe we are well-positioned as we continue to invest in our business and in our people,” added Pfeifer.

Consolidated sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 0.2 percent to $2.07 billion as improved pricing was largely offset by lower sales volume resulting primarily from supply chain related production delays. Sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 were also unfavorably impacted by $18.3 million from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Consolidated operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 3.0 percent to $107.3 million, or 5.2 percent of sales, compared to $104.2 million, or 5.1 percent of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The increase was primarily due to improved pricing, offset in part by higher material & logistics costs, lower sales volume and unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustments in the Defense segment.

Consolidated operating results for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 included charges of $4.6 million for the release of cumulative translation adjustment losses and the $2.1 million impairment of an intangible asset. Excluding these items, adjusted1 operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $114.0 million, or 5.5 percent of sales.

Factors affecting third quarter results for the Company’s business segments included:

Access Equipment – Access Equipment segment sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 22.7 percent to $1.04 billion as a result of higher pricing in response to higher input costs and improved sales volume in North America. Access Equipment segment sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 were unfavorably impacted by $17.4 million from changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

Access Equipment segment operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 268.7 percent to $113.2 million, or 10.9 percent of sales, compared to $30.7 million, or 3.6 percent of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher pricing, higher sales volume and lower product liability costs, offset in part by higher material & logistics costs.

Access Equipment segment results for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 included the charges of $4.6 million for the release of cumulative translation adjustment losses. Excluding these charges, adjusted1 operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $117.8 million, or 11.3 percent of sales.

Defense – Defense segment sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 decreased 20.2 percent to $518.7 million due to lower Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program volume driven by supply chain disruptions and lower customer demand.

Defense segment operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 decreased 95.4 percent to $2.3 million, or 0.4 percent of sales, compared to $49.7 million, or 7.6 percent of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease was due to lower sales volume, unfavorable cumulative catch-up adjustments of $15.4 million on program margins and adverse product mix.

Fire & Emergency – Fire & Emergency segment sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 decreased 26.8 percent to $247.2 million due to lower fire truck deliveries as parts shortages and manufacturing challenges limited the segment’s ability to complete units, and lower demand for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicles.

Fire & Emergency segment operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 decreased 59.3 percent to $19.2 million, or 7.8 percent of sales, compared to $47.2 million, or 14.0 percent of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease was due to lower sales volume and higher material & logistics costs, offset in part by lower fringe costs due to changes in a benefit program and lower incentive compensation costs.

Commercial – Commercial segment sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased 13.1 percent to $264.5 million due to higher pricing in response to higher input costs.

Commercial segment operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 decreased 12.1 percent to $9.4 million, or 3.6 percent of sales, compared to $10.7 million, or 4.6 percent of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease in operating income was largely due to higher material & logistics costs, production inefficiencies associated with supply chain shortages, higher new product development spending and increased warranty costs, offset in part by improved pricing and favorable product mix.

Corporate – Corporate costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $2.7 million to $36.8 million primarily due to higher share-based compensation costs.

Interest Expense Net of Interest Income – Interest expense net of interest income in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased $0.5 million to $10.9 million.

Miscellaneous, net – Miscellaneous expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 primarily related to foreign currency transaction losses of $5.8 million.

Provision for Income Taxes – The Company recorded income tax expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 of $29.9 million, or 33.4 percent of pre-tax income. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 included the $11.7 million benefit from the release of a valuation allowance and the $5.4 million tax benefit associated with the carryback of a U.S. net operating loss to previous tax years. Excluding these items, adjusted1 income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 was $17.8 million, or 19.8 percent of pre-tax income.

Nine-month Results

The Company reported net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 of $6.08 billion and net income of $84.1 million, or $1.27 per diluted share. This compares with net sales of $6.16 billion and net income of $403.2 million, or $5.82 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decline in net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was the result of higher material & logistics costs, lower sales volume, the absence of a carryback of a U.S. net operating loss to previous tax years, manufacturing inefficiencies associated with supply chain challenges, higher new product development spending and a charge of $18.1 million associated with foreign anti-hybrid tax legislation as a result of comments made by taxing authorities of the applicable jurisdiction, offset in part by improved pricing and lower incentive compensation costs.

Results for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 included the charge of $18.1 million associated with foreign anti-hybrid tax legislation, the charge of $4.6 million for the release of cumulative translation adjustment losses and the $2.1 million impairment of an intangible asset. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 included a $75.3 million tax benefit associated with the carryback of a U.S. net operating loss to prior years and the $11.7 million tax benefit associated with the release of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in Europe, offset in part by after-tax charges of $3.9 million associated with restructuring actions in the Access Equipment segment and $0.2 million associated with business acquisition costs in the Defense segment. Excluding these items, adjusted1 net income was $108.9 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2022 and $320.3 million, or $4.62 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Fiscal 2022 Expectations

Despite challenging supply chain conditions and ongoing inflationary pressures, the Company is largely maintaining its revenue and earnings per share expectations. The Company is reaffirming its expectation of revenue to be in the range of $8.3 billion.

As a result of the cumulative translation adjustment losses and impairment of an intangible asset recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company is lowering its estimate for earnings per share for fiscal 2022 on a GAAP basis from approximately $3.25 to approximately $3.15. The Company is reaffirming its expectation of adjusted1 earnings per share to be in the range of $3.50.

Dividend Announcement

The Company’s Board of Directors today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.37 per share of Common Stock. The dividend will be payable on November 28, 2022 to shareholders of record as of November 14, 2022.

Wisconsin State Patrol pilots are scheduled to keep an eye out for traffic violations from the air this week.

Weather permitting, the State Patrol’s Air Support Unit is set to patrol in the following areas:

Wednesday, October 26

Thursday, October 27

The State Patrol’s primary mission is public safety, which includes enforcing traffic laws to help make sure drivers reach their destinations safely.

Aerial enforcement is one way to enhance public safety efforts. From the air it’s much easier to spot drivers who are speeding or driving aggressively. When a pilot observes a violation, they communicate with ground-based units to initiate a traffic stop.

Many aerial enforcement missions are announced publicly to reinforce State Patrol’s goal to improve safety through voluntary compliance with traffic laws, not simply to stop or cite drivers.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Tues., Nov. 1

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Nov. 2

Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1-4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Nov. 3

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Fri., Nov. 4

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-11

Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6-8

Young Adult Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 9-12

Sat., Nov. 5

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all ages

Mon., Nov. 7

Book Buzz: Horse, 8 a.m., YouTube

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12

Tues., Nov. 8

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Nov. 9

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Memory Café: Bingo!, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Bricks & Beers at Fifth Ward Brewing Co., 6 – 7:30 p.m., adults

Thurs., Nov. 10

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Author visit: Randy Domer, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., Nov. 11

Elementary Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 5-8

Sat., Nov. 12

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all ages

Sun., Nov. 13

Traveling exhibit: I Am Not Invisible, runs through Nov. 30, all ages

Mon., Nov. 14

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12

Tues., Nov. 15

Mini Job Fair, 1 – 3 p.m., adults

Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adults

Banned Book Club at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., adults

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Nov. 16

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Poetry Open Mic at Planet Perk, 6 p.m., adults

Thurs., Nov. 17

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., Nov. 18

Librarian Learns: Who Put a Train Here!?, 9 a.m., YouTube

Wonderlab: Spectroscope, 4:30 p.m., ages 5-9

Sat., Nov. 19

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all ages

Wonderlab: Spectroscope, 10:30 a.m., ages 5-9

Mon., Nov. 21

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12

Tues., Nov. 22

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Nov. 23

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Nov. 24

Library Closed for Thanksgiving

Sat., Nov. 26

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all ages

Mon., Nov. 28

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Tues., Nov. 29

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Nov. 30

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Each year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, and state and local governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead. Lead is toxic, especially in young children. Even low levels of lead in a child’s blood can result in damage to the brain and nervous system, learning and behavior problems, slow growth and development, and hearing and speech problems.

Lead can be found inside and outside the home, including in the water that travels through lead pipes or in the soil around the house. However, the most common source of exposure for children is from lead-based paint, which was used in many homes built before 1978, and especially in those built before 1960. Children can be exposed by swallowing or breathing in lead dust created by old paint that has cracked and chipped, eating paint chips, or chewing on surfaces coated with lead dust or lead-based paint, such as window sills. The most common source of lead exposure in young children is lead dust that they swallow after placing lead-contaminated hands or other objects in their mouths. Lead can also be found in some toys and jewelry, or adults may bring lead into the home if they work with lead-based products, such as stained glass.

Children who are lead poisoned typically do not look or act sick. Therefore, the only way to know if a child is lead poisoned is to have a blood lead test. Parents should talk with their child’s health care provider about the risk of lead exposure and ask for a blood lead test if children are under age six. When a lead level of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher is reported in Winnebago County, the health department works with the family to help eliminate the lead exposure.

“Lead is poisonous to all of us, and is especially damaging to a child’s brain and their development,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department Director/Health Officer. “Through new state and federal funding, our health department can help reduce lead exposure in homes and increase safe housing options in our communities.”

The Winnebago County Health Department is working to eliminate lead hazards with its Lead-Safe Homes Program. This new state and federally funded program helps pay for the safe removal of lead from homes and rental properties. The health department works directly with home owners and contractors to coordinate a risk assessment and remove lead hazards. If a home qualifies for the program, up to 100 percent of the lead abatement costs could be covered. Lead-safe repairs may include new windows, siding, doors, painting, gutters and other lead hazard repairs.

The Winnebago County Health Department is currently accepting applications for their Lead-Safe Homes Program. Homeowners and landlords who live in properties built before 1978 are encouraged to apply. If you are a renter, talk with your landlord and encourage them to apply. Properties that meet the following criteria are eligible:

The health department is also looking for qualified companies to complete lead risk assessments and lead abatement work. If you are a state-certified lead abatement or investigation company, or if would like to become one, contact the Winnebago County Health Department. Grants are available for training.

If you do not qualify for the Lead-Safe Homes Program, but you would like a lead hazard risk assessment, you can find a certified inspector or risk assessor on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD. Ask your landlord to have your home or apartment tested if you rent. To find out if you have lead in your drinking water, contact your water company and ask about testing.

For more information about lead poisoning or the Lead-Safe Homes Program, contact the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3026 or visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

Residents of the Oshkosh Area School District are invited to submit their ideas for what to name Oshkosh’s new northside elementary school by taking an online survey available at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/school-name-survey. The survey will open on Monday, October 24 and close at 4 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022. Translated resources for the survey are available online and within the survey.Students, parents, community members, and OASD staff are all invited to participate in the survey, which is designed to provide the school board with input about possible names for the new school. All input gathered will be advisory. Per board policy 7250.01, the board is responsible for the naming of district facilities. The school board will consider landmarks, unique characteristics, and geographic and historical features of the Oshkosh community, as well as names of deceased people who made a significant contribution to the enhancement of education or the district in particular or to the well-being of the district, community, state, or nation.The District’s Facilities and Finance Committee will take all of the naming suggestions and create a list of finalists. A second survey will launch in early December asking people to pick their favorite among the finalists. The results will be provided to the OASD school board to make a final selection. The survey results are not binding but will factor into the board’s decision as part of the selection process.Once the new elementary school is named, the District will survey future students, families, and staff to select the school’s mascot and colors.The new elementary school is one component of the first phase of the District’s long-range facilities plan, which received voter support through the success of the District’s 2020 capital referendum. The new elementary school will be located on the site of the current Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle School. Slated to open for the 2024-2025 school year, it will become home to students currently enrolled at Merrill, Washington, and Webster Stanley Elementary schools. Beth Galeazzi, current principal of Webster Stanley Elementary School, was named principal of the new elementary school in May 2022. Middle school students from Merrill and Webster Stanley will have previously moved to Vel Phillips Middle School which will open for the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/facilities.

Donnie Herman, candidate for Wisconsin’s 54th Assembly District, released the following statement upon receiving endorsements from local government officials:

“I am honored and humbled to receive endorsements from such a dedicated group of public servants from every level of local government. I hope to maintain great working relationships with all of you as we tackle future issues together.

“I plan to bring your values and work ethic to Madison and show them what the real hard-working people of Oshkosh want!”

List of Endorsements:Winnebago County Sheriff John MatzWinnebago County Board Supervisors:Jacob Floam – District 16John Hinz – District 21Shanah Zastera – District 32Common Council Member Bill MillerOshkosh School Board Member Candidate Kelly DeWitt

View full list of political endorsements at donniehermanforstateassembly.com

The Oshkosh Riverwalk section, located on the north side of the Fox River from Jackson Street to the west access point at Marion Road, will be closed to public use on the following dates due to construction activities at the nearby Mackson Corner development. This temporary closure is necessary for the safety of the public. The dates are:

· Monday, October 24th through Friday, October 28th (7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

· Monday, October 31st through Friday, November 4th (7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

· Monday, November 7th through Friday, November 11th (7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated a social media post that has been circulating amongst students.

On Thursday, October 20, 2022, at approximately 08:55 PM, officers from the Oshkosh Police Department became aware of a post indicating a potential threat towards an Oshkosh School.

Officers immediately began investigating this incident and through their investigation made an arrest.

At this time, the threat is unsubstantiated but the investigation is still ongoing. We encourage people not to share/ repost these types of posts but instead to contact law enforcement if they see a threat on social media.

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated the report of an incident at South Park Middle School involving a weapon, in the City of Oshkosh.

This was determined to be a swatting incident attempting to elicit a large-scale law enforcement response to the school.

At approximately 10:26 AM, officers received information that a caller contacted the dispatch center stating that there was a disturbance involving a weapon taking place at the South Park Middle School. South Park’s School Resource Officer was on scene at the school when this call was reported. The School Resource Officer and additional officers checked theschool and advised that there was no incident occurring.

Other agencies throughout Wisconsin have also been reporting similar calls. Upon further investigation, all disturbances reported were unfounded.

The safety and security of our students continues to be our top priority and we take all police calls for service seriously and investigate each one.

Despite being hospitalized this October, Aurora Health Care’s tiniest patients are joining in the Halloween festivities. Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) are dressing up for their first Halloween.

Parents of the pint-sized patients have been invited to dress their baby in a costume and photograph them as part of a social media contest.

The pictures, which are featured on Aurora Health Care’s Facebook page, are sure to bring a smile to your face. This year’s costumes include twin crayons, a tin man, a scarecrow, a witchy mermaid, a giraffe, and more!

The competition has taken place for many years, with a pause in 2020 due to COVID-19 precautions. It returned in 2021 with extra safeguards that remain in place this year, including parents taking the photos themselves and submitting them.

The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite costume by “liking” photos on Facebook. The photos with the most reactions by 12 pm on Friday, Oct. 28 will win a prize.

Georgia Pacific notified the state Monday that it will close its Murdock Avenue plant effective immediately. Here is a copy of the company’s letter.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a robbery that occurred in the 1500 Block of W. 20th Ave, in the City of Oshkosh. On 10/14/2022, at approximately 8:47 PM, Officers received information that a male suspect robbed a business while armed with a knife.

The suspect is described as a white male, possibly in his 30s. The suspect was wearing black pants, a blue and white flannel long sleeve shirt, a yellow surgical mask, and black sunglasses. A photograph of the suspect taken from surveillance footage is attached with this media release. The Oshkosh Police Department is working to identify this suspect.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Wilson at the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

Victims and witnesses of crimes have rights. For more information about these rights and services, please visit our webpage at: http://www.oshkoshpd.com/VictimServices/

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) Board of Education is seeking applications from eligible residents to fill a vacancy on the Board. The Board accepted the resignation of Board President Bob Poeschl at the September 28 Regular Board Meeting. The Board will appoint an eligible resident to fill Poeschl’s term, which expires in April 2023. Per board policy 0171.2, Board Vice President Barb Herzog will serve as president for the remainder of Poeschl’s term.

Vacancies on the school board will be filled in by the remaining members of the board in accordance with state law and in compliance with the procedural guidelines outlined in board policy 0142.5.

Interested applicants must submit a notice of their interest – addressing qualifications – in writing, by 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022 to the Board President. Application material can be hand-delivered or emailed as follows:

Each applicant/candidate must also attend an in-person interview at a properly noticed public meeting of the Board, to be scheduled the week of October 31. On the same day, following the interview(s), the Board will publicly consider all of the identified potential appointees and choose a candidate to fill the vacant seat.

On or before the date of the board meeting at which the Board considers the potential appointees, each potential appointee must also submit a sworn declaration of eligibility to hold the vacant board seat. To schedule a time to complete this brief process, please contact Eileen Fitzpatrick, OASD Executive Assistant Business Services, at 920.424,0120 ext 2013 or [email protected] vacancy schedule and timeline is as follows:

The appointed candidate will serve until the next regular election in April 2023. If the individual appointed to serve this year wishes to continue serving on the Board, they must file in January 2023 to be a candidate in the April 2023 Board of Education election.

Interested candidates are encouraged to learn more about board member responsibilities and time commitments. More information is available on the OASD website at oshkosh.k12.wi.us/board/board-elections. According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission, an eligible candidate must be a citizen of the United states; 18 years of age or older; and a resident of the school district for at least 28 consecutive days at the time of filing a declaration of candidacy.

The Board of Education is a team of seven volunteers elected by school district voters to establish policy and set direction for the administration. They hold public meetings twice monthly, in addition to several committee meetings. For more information on the Board of Education, please visit the Board of Education page on the OASD website at oshkosh.k12.wi.us/board.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, one charter school, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Kevin LaRosa II, an aerial coordinator on more than 100 motion picture and commercial productions including Top Gun: Maverick, is this year’s featured guest at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet on December 9 at the EAA Aviation Museum.

Tickets for the event are currently available at the EAA Aviation Museum website. Attendance is limited to 350.

LaRosa is one of the industry’s leading experts in aerial cinematography, with more than 16 years of experience. He is Air Transport Pilot rated to fly a variety of aircraft including the Blackhawk helicopter and L-39. He also holds an FAA Part 107 UAS rating for flying unmanned aircraft. Other films on LaRosa’s resumé include Iron Man, The Avengers, and the upcoming Devotion.

EAA’s annual Wright Brothers Memorial Banquet honors the Wright brothers’ successful flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, that began the era of manned flight. Tickets for the event are $70 for EAA members and $95 for nonmembers. Doors open on December 9 at 5 p.m., with the dinner starting at 6:30 p.m., and the presentation immediately following dinner.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.The following person is being released:HAKIM VALORE M/B 12-12-1972 is being released on November 01,2022 to 215 DIVISION ST in the City of Oshkosh.

The offender was convicted in 2007 of FIRST DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT and 2 counts of FALSEIMPRISONMENT. The victim of the Sexual Assault and False Imprisonment was an adult femaleacquaintance. The other victim of the False Imprisonment was an adult male not known to theoffender.

SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS/REQUIREMENTS:1.) NO UNSUPERVISED CONTACT WITH MINORS; NO CONTACT WITH VICTIM; NOT TO CONSUME DRUGS.2.) COMPLY WITH STANDARD SEX OFFENDER RULES; COOPERATE WITH ELECTRONIC MONITORING.3.) FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT REQUIRED; COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS AND LIFETIME REGISTRANT OF WI SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY.

The Winnebago County Health Department is currently offering the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine to anyone eligible according to updated eligibility guidelines provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. To make an appointment or see if you qualify, contact the Winnebago County Health Department’s hotline at 920-232-3026 or email [email protected].

The monkeypox vaccine is currently recommended for people who had known exposure to someone with monkeypox, those who are more likely to be exposed and people with certain risk factors. This includes:

“These expanded guidelines allow more people who may be at higher risk of infection to get vaccinated,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department Health Officer/Director. “We encourage anyone who may be at risk for monkeypox to contact our health department staff, so we can work with you to determine eligibility and find a time that works best for you to get vaccinated.”

Monkeypox does not spread easily to others, and the risk of monkeypox spreading widely throughout our community remains low. To date, two cases have been reported in Winnebago County residents. Getting vaccinated may reduce the risk of infection and the severity of symptoms associated with monkeypox.

Most people with monkeypox report having prolonged close contact, including kissing, hugging or sexual activity, with someone else who has monkeypox. Monkeypox can also spread through respiratory droplets and by having contact with items that have been contaminated with the fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox. While most cases nationwide are occurring in the sexual network of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, it is important to know that monkeypox can affect anyone and a person’s sexuality or sexual orientation are not the route of transmission. Learn the signs and symptoms of monkeypox and contact a healthcare provider or the health department if you develop a new or unexplained rash.

For more information, call the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3026 or visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

A special event on Oct. 21 will celebrate the positive impact of more than 100 iPads that have been distributed to children with autism by the Mid-Morning Kiwanis Club of Oshkosh since 2012.

An iPad can help a child with autism to overcome communication and learning challenges, transforming the child’s ability to interact with their families and the world around them. Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis will present iPads to three families during the Oct. 21 event, bringing the total distributed by the club to 110.

The Autism Project is the signature program for the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District of Kiwanis International. Through the project, Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis distributes iPads and appropriate software, in partnership with the Oshkosh Area School District and local clinicians who help to connect families in need with the program.

“iPads are incredible tools for children on the autism spectrum because they are adaptable and accessible,” says Linda Pierron, Director of Special Education for the Oshkosh Area School District. “We hear from families all the time how the iPad has helped their child to grow because they are able to continue communicating and learning at home, not just in the classroom. These donations are truly life changing.”

In addition to iPads for Autism, Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to local teachers for innovative classroom projects; donated more than $15,000 worth of socks and undergarments to local students via Project Undercover; helped to fund healthy snacks for students in local schools; and supported many other local programs that benefit children.

Spokespeople for the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin expressed deep concerns about the visit of former education secretary Betsy DeVos to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Tuesday,Oct. 11.

“Former education secretary Betsy DeVos has a troubling history of opposing public education in the United States that culminated in her tenure as secretary of education under former President Donald Trump,” said Kim Kohlhaas, President of AFT-Wisconsin. “As secretary she sought to reduce funding for public education while pushing lawmakers to spend more on unaccountable private schools, all of which would have undermined the historic American promise of a common school system for every child.”

DeVos, who will be in conversation with school choice advocate Howard Fuller, will speak on the “Future of Education.” The event is sponsored by the Tommy Thompson Center on Public Leadership in partnership with UW-Oshkosh. While AFT-Wisconsin leaders understand a public university community benefits from a diversity of political and intellectual viewpoints, they want to be sure UW-Oshkosh faculty, staff, and students—as well as the state’s broader public—get a full understanding of former secretary DeVos’s legacy.

“It is fitting that the event title does not use the word ‘public’ because DeVos’s entire political career has been characterized by a deep aversion to an education system that truly serves everyone,” said Jon Shelton, associate professor at UW-Green Bay and Vice President of Higher Education for AFT-Wisconsin. “At the university level, DeVos opposed equality for many different groups of students. For instance, her department of education made it more difficult for women to access their rights under Title IX to education free from the threat of sexual assault, and she denied protections to student loan borrowers who were misled by for-profit colleges. For these reasons, students, in particular, who hear her speak should understand the full context of her tenure as education secretary.”

White Cane Laws requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians with vision loss have been around since the 1930s. Unfortunately, many motorists still fail to obey them nearly a century later.

To raise awareness of these laws and promote pedestrian safety, advocates, allies and community leaders recognize October 15 each year as White Cane Safety Day. This month, Governor Evers and mayors across Wisconsin are issuing proclamations recognizing the occasion, highlighting the importance of the White Cane Law, and making the connection to pedestrian safety ingeneral.

“We’re grateful to these leaders for helping spread the message that keeping pedestrians safe, especially those who are most vulnerable in traffic, is everybody’s responsibility,” said Denise Jess, executive director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired.

White Cane Safety Day was created in 1964 by Congressional resolution and a proclamation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, with the goal of educating the American public about the right of way of pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog.

Every state has a White Cane Law on the books, though the details vary from state to state. Wisconsin’s statute says: An operator of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before approaching closer than 10 feet to a pedestrian who is carrying a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white trimmed with red and which is held in an extended or raised position or who is using a service animal…and shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid accident or injury to the pedestrian.

Jess notes that White Cane Laws don’t just protect people with vision loss. Measures requiring drivers to be more attentive make all pedestrians safer.

“Everybody is a pedestrian at times,” Jess said. “From accessible crossing signals to properly designed curb ramps to stronger enforcement of existing laws that protect pedestrians, there’s a lot communities can do to make our streets safer. Promoting greater awareness of the White Cane Law is an important piece of the puzzle. By working together, we can save lives.”

The city of Oshkosh has updated the Fall Loose Leaf Collection schedule. Residents are advised that the primary day for loose leaf collection will be the day after their regular garbage collection day. For residents whose garbage is collected on Friday, your loose leaf collection is Monday. The schedule is as follows:

• LEAVES ONLY, No GRASS, brush, or garden plants. Leaves should be piled loosely on the terrace, not in the street, for collection, NO LATER THAN 7:00 am on the day after your scheduled garbage collection day. For properties without terraces, rake the leaves as far out to the street without obstructing the sidewalk or going into the curb line or the street.

• Loose leaf collection may end at any time due to weather or equipment issues. Loose leaf collection will end the week of November 14 through November 18 on your scheduled leaf collection date.

• Yard Waste Collection week is scheduled during the week of November 7 through November 11. Place small branches, garden debris, or leaves into paper biodegradable bags no later than 7:00 am on your garbage day.

For more information on the Fall Loose Leaf Collection Program, visit the Sanitation website: https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Sanitation/ or call the Sanitation office at (920) 232-5383.

The Oshkosh Police Department assisted in locating a patient who walked away from WMHI located at 4100 Treffert Drive, in the City of Oshkosh.

On 10/10/2022, at approximately 11:08 AM, Officers were notified that a patient at WMHI had walked away from the facility. Officers and Detectives from the Oshkosh Police Department assisted in searching the area for this individual. The patient was located a short while later and was returned to the facility.

The Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education will participate in a Board Workshop to continue to review the athletic and co-curricular facilities recommendations made by the District’s Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) 2.0. During the workshop, District leaders will present an administrative recommendation to include the performing arts center project at Oshkosh North High School in Phase Two of the OASD’s Four-Phased Facilities Consolidation Plan. No Board action related to facilities planning will take place during the meeting. The workshop will take place during the Board’s regular meeting on October 12 at 6 p.m. at the OASD Administration Office; broadcast by Oshkosh Media.

“We know that community engagement is critical to our success and that starts with creating a shared understanding of our needs and opportunities,” said Dr. Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “Right now, we want to make sure our community is aware of the plans and recommendations so that we can engage in conversations, gather feedback, and ultimately build solutions together.”

In May 2021, the OASD Board of Education authorized the creation of a Facility Advisory Committee 2.0, asked with seeking solutions to the District’s athletic and co-curricular needs. The committee’s recommendations listed below were presented to the Board at the July 13 Regular Board Meeting.● Indoor Multi-Purpose Facility to include a four-court fieldhouse and 120-yard turf field, centrally located near existing high schools (cost estimate: $58M – $61M)● Performing Arts Center to include 1,050 seat auditorium, attached to Oshkosh North High School (cost estimate: $26M – $28M)● Aquatic Center to include 50-meter competition pool, diving well, warm-water therapy pool, splash pad area, and concession area, centrally located near existing high schools or in partnership with existing community indoor pool facilities (cost estimate: $40M – $42M)● Outdoor Competition and Practice Facility to include football/soccer field, four softball fields, two baseball fields, and a handicap accessible play field, located in a highly visible and accessible area with sufficient land (cost estimate: $21M – $22M)

During the July 13 meeting, aligning the identified athletic and co-curricular needs with phases two through four of the Four-Phased Facilities Consolidation Plan was identified as a next step. In 2019, the school board approved a Four-Phased Facilities Consolidation Plan, developed by a community Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) 1.0. Phase One was made possible by the successful November 2020 Capital Referendum and will result in five current schools being replaced with one new middle school and one new elementary school. The remaining three phases will come in future years when the community is in a position to approve additional funding. While the exact scope of these phases were not developed, the following key areas were identified. Specific projects within Phases Two through Four continue to evolve and shift as the timing of each phase becomes a reality and based on emerging needs and real-timedata.● Phase Two is focused on replacing/rebuilding South Park Middle School, closing and converting Perry Tipler Middle School into a staff professional development center, closing and converting Shapiro STEM Academy into a district-wide 4K center, and expanding Carl Traeger, Franklin, and Oakwood elementary schools. This additional level of detail is now possible based on the District’s ongoing review of emerging needs and enrollment trends.● Phase Three is focused on replacing or renovating Oshkosh West High School.● Phase Four is focused on replacing or renovating Oshkosh North High School.

To learn more about the District’s facilities planning efforts visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/facilities.

As a globally recognized leader in the design and production of military vehicles and mobility systems, Oshkosh Defense LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) enters the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2022 Conference, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC from October 10-12, showcasing its expertise in tactical wheeled vehicles and its successful expansion into the design, manufacturing, and integration of weapon systems.

The Oshkosh Defense JLTV: Oshkosh will display a General Purpose Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) integrated with a Kongsberg Remote Weapon Station (RWS) and side mount Javelin. The JLTV is the only light tactical vehicle that is flexible enough to incorporate a multitude of weapons systems without sacrificing payload, performance, or protection. To date, Oshkosh has built over 18,000 JLTVs for the U.S. military and its allies.

Stryker Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS): Oshkosh Defense will also showcase the Stryker integrated with a 30mm MCWS. Oshkosh delivered the first MCWS to the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) in August 2022, where the system will undergo Product Verification Testing (PVT). PVT testing will be completed in June 2023, with fielding to begin in July 2023.

“While unique in their missions and capabilities, every vehicle and system we design, build and deliver represents our ability to listen to the customer, understand their requirements, and deliver purpose-built solutions,” said John Bryant, Executive Vice President, Oshkosh Corporation and President of Oshkosh Defense. “With our proven manufacturing capabilities, experienced supply chain, and dedicated workforce made up of military vehicle experts, we understand the complexities of the modern battlefield and are deeply committed to the success of the Warfighter’s mission.”Oshkosh Defense leadership will be available at AUSA to discuss the Oshkosh Defense JLTV and the Stryker MCWS as well as the company’s entire portfolio of vehicles, technologies, and integration capabilities. Visit Oshkosh Defense at AUSA 2022 (booth #6027).

With funding from the county, state, and federal governments, GO Transit operates Route 10, a fixed route bus between Oshkosh and Neenah which has experienced a steady decline in ridership and increased costs to provide the service. GO Transit commissioned a study to evaluate the route and it has been determined an alternate method of delivering service must be considered. With the support of the Oshkosh Transit Advisory Board and Winnebago County Human Services Board, Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel’s budget request proposes to operate Route 10 through the first quarter of 2023 while GO Transit implements a microtransit pilot to expand mobility services in Winnebago County. The proposed county budget funds the local match for the new program.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, “transit agencies are implementing microtransit solutions that improve the rider’s experience by operating small-scale, on-demand public transit services that that can offer fixed routes and schedules, as well as flexible routes and on-demand scheduling.” GO Transit and the county have been supported by the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission in the planning of the new program.

County Executive Jon Doemel explained the collective thoughts of the entities by saying, “the city of Oshkosh, GO Transit, and Winnebago County are all committed to providing a level of basic mobility to help area residents connect with other fixed-route services and the larger Oshkosh, Neenah and Winnebago County community. The county will continue an investment into transit programs which provide the most benefit to all county residents. I expect the new service to be operational in the first quarter of 2023. The county is steadfast in our desire to fund transit which is innovative, effective, and efficient.”

As the primary provider of public transportation services in the city of Oshkosh, GO Transit provides important community mobility services to a range of travelers, including workers, students, transit-dependent and intercity commuters. For more information about Route 10, please contact GO Transit at (920) 232-5342.

Oshkosh North students are learning ‘what’s in a name’ as part of a unique, hands-on local history project. The project will culminate in an interactive community open house event on Wednesday, October 12 from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at The Waters (1393 Washington Ave). The public is invited to attend the event and hear from students about the rich history of buildings and places in Oshkosh.

Students in the Communities at Oshkosh North program are seeking to understand the historical significance of past individuals who are named after parks, buildings and streets in Oshkosh. The project offers a great opportunity for students to enhance their leadership and literacy skills while examining Oshkosh’s past. During the open house, students will lead brief presentations about their projects; attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and explore the projects in a self-guided tour format.

Communities is an interdisciplinary, community-based program at Oshkosh North High School offering students a unique way to learn English, social studies, and leadership content and skills through community engagement. Communities students investigate and engage in community needs through collaboration with businesses, organizations, and members of the community in an effort to provide authentic learning experiences while improving the local, national, and global community. To learn more visit www.communitiesonhs.org.

The Oshkosh Area School District is hosting a public neighborhood meeting to discuss the future of the Sheldon Nature Area on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 6:15 p.m. at Oakwood Elementary located at 1225 N Oakwood Road; enter through door #12.

The intent of the meeting is to give school families, neighbors and interested individuals an update on a future-focused project to preserve and enhance the Sheldon Nature Area. District leaders, members of the Sheldon Nature Area Committee (SNAC), representatives from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and a logging company will be available to engage in conversation, with the goal of creating a shared understanding of the work being done and next steps.

Encompassing 26-acres, the Sheldon Nature Area is located at 1225 N Oakwood Road in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Tucked behind Oakwood Elementary School and recently designated as a school forest, the Sheldon Nature Area offers endless learning opportunities for students and the public. Unfortunately, the Sheldon Nature Area – along with many areas in Wisconsin – is experiencing a severe infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that has decimated ash trees all over the midwest. At Sheldon, 95% of the seven-acre forested area is Green Ash and much of it is already infested and dead or dying due to EAB.

The OASD and volunteers of the Sheldon Nature Area have been working to develop a solution to stop the spread and preserve the area as an incredible natural resource and educational space for students and community members. While it may look different, the OASD and SNAC volunteers are confident that the Sheldon Nature Area will continue to thrive for generations to come.

Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), a leading innovator of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, today announced that John Bryant, executive vice president of Oshkosh Corporation and president of Oshkosh Defense, will retire on November 1, 2022, following 12 years with the company. Consistent with the company’s succession planning process, Tim Bleck, vice president of finance for the Defense segment has been appointed as Bryant’s successor. Bryant will remain in an advisory role to support the transition through June 30, 2023.

“On behalf of the entire Oshkosh Leadership Team and its Board of Directors, I’d like to thank John Bryant for his years of service to our organization and for his 28 years of service in the United States Marine Corps,” said Oshkosh Corporation’s president and chief executive officer, John Pfeifer. “Under John’s leadership, Oshkosh Defense achieved notable program wins that have helped transform the company and expand into adjacent markets.”

Bleck joined Oshkosh Corporation in 2006 as a controller in the Commercial segment and has held multiple roles with increasing levels of responsibility since that time, most recently serving as vice president of finance, Defense. “Tim is a proven leader with a deep understanding of our defense business. He was instrumental in securing the Next Generation Delivery Vehicle award with the U.S. Postal Service, as well as the company’s recent acquisition and integration of Pratt Miller. We are pleased to welcome him into this new role and are confident in his abilities to continue the growth trajectory and success of our Defense segment.”

“I am honored for the opportunity to serve in this new role and to lead an outstanding team as we drive the strategic priorities of our defense business to deliver both near- and long-term value for Oshkosh shareholders,” said Bleck.

Bleck earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He has extensive experience in the defense industry and with U.S. Government defense programs. Since 2015, he has served as an Executive Sponsor for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

Lakeland Care Inc., providing long-term care services and supports to eligible frail elders and individuals with physical and intellectual or developmental disabilities through Wisconsin’s Family Care program, is recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month with an All Abilities Job and Resource Fair. The fair connects employers who value the unique contributions and benefits of employing those with disabilities with future potential employees. It also connects those with a variety of disabilities with resources in their community.

“Providing valuable, meaningful employment to individuals with disabilities contributes to successful communities in many ways,” said Rose White, Community Supports Supervisor at Lakeland Care. “Employment encourages independence, contributes to confidence, and is one way people feel included in their community.”

The All Abilities Job and Resource Fair will take place Wednesday, October 5 from 1-4 p.m. at the Oshkosh Convention Center, located at 2 N. Main Street in Oshkosh (map). Lakeland Care Inc. was the recipient of funds raised by the 2022 Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Oshkosh Program, making this event possible.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month is held annually in October and acknowledges the contributions to the nation’s economy made by workers with disabilities, current and past. The commemoration also showcases supportive and inclusive policies and practices benefiting workers and employers. The 2022 theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation” observing the importance of inclusive employment policies and practices.

“For employers, the energy and dedication this workforce brings is unmatched, and often employees with disabilities contribute greatly to a positive company culture,” said White.

Organizations expected to be in attendance at the All Abilities Job and Resource Fair include Lakeland Care Inc., 4Imprint, Ascension Mercy Hospital, Brewing Futures Mobile Café- OASD, Brotoloc North, Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins, Evergreen Retirement Community, Festival Foods, Goodwill NCW, Hilton Garden Inn, Pick ‘n Save, Shawano Medical Transport, Starstruck Artistry Beauty Studio, VPI and more.

Voters in Wisconsin have just completed an election, and in April, there will be another election for state and local non-partisan positions including Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. The judges and justices in the Wisconsin judicial system from the municipal court, circuit court, appellate court to the Wisconsin Supreme Court are elected by each of us as a Wisconsin voter. The decisions rendered by these courts impact our lives on a daily basis from traffic fines to reproductive rights.

An impartial judiciary is critical to fair and legally sound decisions at every level in the judicial system. In theory, judicial elections are supposed to be non-partisan. But in reality, there are outside influences, such as campaign financing and partisan politics, that impact all judicial elections. So, how can the voter have confidence that a vote for a judge or justice promotes judicial impartiality and integrity?

In April 2023, Wisconsin residents will be voting for a Justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Wisconsin League of Women Voters is sponsoring two presentations that will assist in understanding the structure of the Wisconsin Judicial system and the outside influences that can affect judges at every level.

Mark your calendars and join us for the following presentations:

Part I: Understanding the Structure of our Wisconsin Court System Monday, November 21, at 6:30 pm at UW-O Fox Cities (Menasha), room 1338 Our presenter will be retired Judge Nancy Krueger. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters Appleton/Fox Cities.

Part II: Outside Influences on Our Courts Monday, December 5, at 6:30 pm at the Winnebago County Coughlin Center Our presenter will be Attorney and retired Judge Joseph Troy. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County.

Busing to and from school will resume as normal tomorrow, Friday, September 30, in the Oshkosh Area School District. Kobussen is able to shift its buses that serve other school districts that are not in session tomorrow. Busing is expected to continue as normal next week. Kobussen is working to repair its buses.

Kobussen’s catalytic converter thefts first caused a delay for OASD busing on Wednesday, September 28. While Kobussen had made every effort to resume regular busing for the OASD today, additional catalytic converter thefts occurred overnight. This is an unfortunate situation and the OASD appreciates all that Kobussen is doing to manage and problem solve. The OASD also understands this is a significant inconvenience for families that receive and rely on district transportation for their children. Continued understanding and patience are appreciated.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) awarded 45 community programs, including seven new programs, with the annual United Way Community Investment grant process. These programs were selected to address the growing needs in Oshkosh and surrounding communities.

The Community Investment grants are funded by the annual OAUW Community Giving Campaign to improve access to resources for Early Childhood Development, Mental Health, and Steps Toward a Living Wage. The grant process is available to programs serving residents in Oshkosh and surrounding communities that offer services in these impact areas.

Each impact area is overseen by a volunteer committee that reviews and interviews each program applying to ensure that the applicant has measurable outcomes and impact on the community. Over 30 volunteers are involved in the Community Investment Grant process, giving nearly 1,000 hours of their time to our area. OAUW is grateful to those community members who continue to lead this process and ensure that donations are allocated to those programs making the most impact in Oshkosh and the surrounding area.

Oshkosh Area United Way is proud to announce 2023 funding to the following local programs:

“The investment our community makes to support these nonprofits is truly inspiring. Being part of this process is an amazing honor working alongside dedicated volunteers and United Way staff to make sure we’re supporting kids, stabilizing families, and helping those most vulnerable in our community. By funding these programs we’re not only helping our community but impacting generations to come, “said Jennifer Skolaski, Vice Chair of Community Impact. “A big thank you to all those involved through giving, volunteering, working at these organizations, and making sure we’re caring for everyone in our community.”

Oshkosh Area United Way will be accepting applications for the 2024 Community Investment Grant during the month of June 2023. The application is available to organizations serving the Oshkosh Area United Way’s service area that offer programming to improve resources for Early Childhood Development, Mental Health, and Steps to a Living Wage.

For more information on the above programs or the 2024 Community Investment Grant, contact the Oshkosh Area United Way at [email protected]. To continue your commitment to the Oshkosh community by donating to the 2022 Community Giving Campaign, visit www.oshkoshunitedway.org/donate.

About Oshkosh Area United Way: Oshkosh Area United Way, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022, is a local nonprofit organization established in 1962. The mission of Oshkosh Area United Way is to improve the lives of our community members by leveraging people and resources to create innovative solutions to community needs. Give, advocate, or volunteer at oshkoshunitedway.org.

As part of its expansion plans, the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh has been acquiring properties on Monroe Street. The club agreed to move the house of one homeowner to a new location. Here are photos of the move, which happened Monday. Photos courtesy of Dan Rylance.

The Oshkosh Police Department arrested a male for several felonies in the 500 Block of E. County Rd Y, in the City of Oshkosh.

On 09/26/2022, at approximately 1:00 PM, Officers had information that a 39 year old male from Oshkosh was a Felon in Possession of Firearms. Officers observed this male riding as a passenger in a vehicle in the 500 Block of E. County Rd Y and initiated a traffic stop. There were only two people in the car. The driver of the vehicle immediately exited the car and made contact with officers. The male occupant of the vehicle was uncooperative and refused to listen to officers directions and would not getout of the car.

Due to the information they had, officers believed this male was armed with weapons. The Oshkosh Police Department’s SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded to this location. Negotiators were able to make contact with the male occupant and negotiated with him for several hours, trying to de- escalate the situation to a peaceful resolution.

Due to the potential that this male may possibly be armed, the 500 Block of E. County Rd Y was closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic while negotiations took place. The male was ultimately taken into custody at approximately 4:30 PM.

He was taken into custody for: Felon in Possession of Firearms, Possession of Methamphetamines, Felony Bail Jumping, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Obstructing/ Resisting Arrest.

A search warrant was granted to allow officers to search this male’s residence for weapons. His residence is located in the 900 Block of E Sunnyview Road.

The Mission of the Oshkosh Police Department is to promote public safety and to enhance the quality of life in our community through innovative policing and community partnerships

The safety of our citizens is our top priority. Officers worked diligently to try to de-escalate this situation. We appreciated your patience while we navigated this incident.

The Oshkosh community is invited to attend an open house event hosted by the 9th and 10th graders of the Communities Program at Oshkosh North High School. The public can actively engage with the students as they will share photos and their discoveries of sites and the people they are named after.

The event will take place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at The Waters (1393 Washington Avenue) from 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

The local history project, called What’s in a Name, allowed the 9th and 10th grade students to investigate local buildings, parks, schools and infrastructure and the people they were named after. The Communities students will be highlighting about 40 sites named after individuals who were historically significant in the community. The students from Communities will not only explain their knowledge of important people but how the site has changed from past to present.

The students’ investigation process was truly a community effort. Each student visited and closely read documents archived by the local history department at Oshkosh Public Library. They worked with archivists at the Oshkosh Public Museum and UW-Oshkosh library to examine photographs and artifacts. They also had an opportunity to interview local history experts and family members who had a personal interest in these historic individuals.

The event on October 12th provides the students an opportunity to share their learning with an authentic audience and we hope you consider supporting them.

Oshkosh Defense, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), announced today that the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armament Command (TACOM) has awarded Oshkosh Defense a contract to produce Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System (EHETS) trailers for the U.S. Army. Oshkosh will execute the contract with the support of its major subcontractor, Broshuis B.V.

The competitively awarded five-year requirements contract is valued at $263.2 Million for an estimated 466 trailers and associated logistics products and support services. Under the first delivery order, valued at $37.6 Million, Oshkosh Defense will produce five test trailers for Product Verification Testing (PVT), Operational Testing (OT), Logistics Development and Engineering Development, along with 68 production trailers.

“One of Oshkosh’s core competencies is partnering with our customers to develop and deliver vehicles and trailers specifically designed to meet stringent military requirements and survive the rigors of modern combat,” said Pat Williams, Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “The EHETS trailer is one such example of our commitment to meeting our customer’s mission requirements. We are proud that the U.S. Army has once again called on us to produce another mission-critical trailer,” Williams concluded.

Oshkosh Defense designed the EHETS trailer to be pulled by the Oshkosh Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) A1 currently in service with the U.S. Army. The combined HET A1 and EHETS trailer system is designed to self-load and unload and can haul a payload of up to 90 tons, allowing it to transport the heaviest Army tracked vehicles, including current and future versions of Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), while also obtaining European road permissions at required payloads.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.Sat., Oct. 1Wood Carved Duck Decoy display, 2 nd floor, all ages (runs through Nov. 1)Creature Carnival, enter Oct. 1-26; ages 2-18Two-Sentence Horror Story Writing Contest, enter Oct. 1-23), teensLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesStarting Your Genealogy Journey, 10 a.m., adultsMark Gruenwald Comic Book Creation Challenge Celebration, 1 p.m., all agesMon., Oct. 3Book Buzz: The House Across the Lake, 8 a.m., YouTubeFamily Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12Tues., Oct. 4Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., Oct. 5Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1-4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesLife and Work of Lewis Hine, 6 p.m., adultsThurs., Oct. 6High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsFri., Oct. 7Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-11Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6-8Young Adult Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 9-12Fall Genealogy Lock In, 6 – 8 p.m., adultsSat., Oct. 8LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all agesMon., Oct. 10Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12Tues., Oct. 11Banned Book Club at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., adultsAdult DIY: Leather Crafting and Felted Pumpkin Soap, 6 p.m., adultsStories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., Oct. 12High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsMemory Café: Haunted Oshkosh, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesBricks & Beers at Fifth Ward Brewing Co., 6 – 7:30 p.m., adultsPoetry Open Mic at Planet Perk, 6 p.m., teens and adultsThurs., Oct. 13High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsFinding Her Place: A Yorkshire Mill Girl’s Journey, 6 p.m., adultsFri., Oct. 14Elementary Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 5-8Sat., Oct. 15LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all agesYou Don’t Have to go to the Vatican for Catholic Church Records, 10 a.m., adultsFabulous Fibers, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., ages 4 and olderMon., Oct. 17Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12Tues., Oct. 18Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adultsHow to Respond to Domestic Abuse, 6 p.m., teens and adultsStories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., Oct. 19High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesWhat’s the Story, 6 p.m., adultsThurs., Oct. 20High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsNot Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adultsWonderlab: Volcano, 6:30 p.m., ages 5-9Sat., Oct. 22LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all agesExploring City Directories, 10 a.m., adultsWonderlab: Volcano, 10:30 a.m., ages 5-9Mon., Oct. 24Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRailways of Oshkosh, 1:30 p.m., adultsRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12Tues., Oct. 25Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., Oct. 26High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesThurs., Oct. 27High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsSat., Oct. 29LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all agesMon., Oct.31Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12

The Oshkosh Fire Department is honored to have been awarded the 2022 Emergency Medical Services Service of the Year from the Wisconsin EMS Association. We received this recognition, in a large part, because of our falls prevention initiatives.

As Fox Valley Rebuilding Together and the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review Team stated when they nominated us:

“The true key to the success of this initiative is Oshkosh Fire Department EMS Service. Chief Stanley and Division Chief (Chuck) Hable have created a culture of concern for those they serve by laying a foundation of trust in the community. Members of the department have dedicated their time to professionally and empathetically explaining the initiative to patients and families, which has made all the difference in this successful and important prevention effort.”

We would like to thank our partners who continue to work with us to make this program a success: Rebuilding Together Fox Valley, the Winnebago County Aging and Disability Resource Center, and the Regional Trauma Advisory Committee.

We are humbled to receive this award and proud to be recognized for our culture ofcompassionate care to our community.

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated a felony retail theft that occurred at a business located in the 1500 Block of S. Koeller Street, in the City of Oshkosh.

On 09/22/2022, at approximately 1:53 PM, Officers received information that two male suspects had stolen over $1,000 worth of merchandise from a local business and had fled the store in a vehicle. An Oshkosh Police Officer located this vehicle and initiated a traffic stop Upon further investigation, Officers located this stolen merchandise in the vehicle and the two males were taken into custody. The 30 year old male was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant and Felony Retail Theft. The 22 year old male was taken into custody for Felony Retail Theft.

It is believed that the 30 year old may also be a suspect in numerous other retail thefts that have occurred throughout the United States with estimated losses of over $81,000. States that may have been impacted by these thefts include: Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Krueger at the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

SEPT. 28 UPDATE: Albert N Smith was taken into custody and the stolen vehicle has been recovered.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a robbery that occurred in the 800 Block of N. Main Street, in the City of Oshkosh.

On 09/22/2022, at approximately 10:33 PM, Officers received information that a male suspect approached a female while she was parked in her vehicle. She had been parked next to a business which is located in the 800 Block of N Main Street. She stated that the male pulled a gun and pointed it at her head. A physical struggle took place between them and the suspect struck the victim in the head with the gun. He then fled the area in the victim’s car.

The suspect has been identified as Albert N Smith DOB 10/11/2001. He is an African American Male, 5’8″ 185 pounds with Black hair and Brown eyes. He was last seen driving the stolen vehicle which is a Gray 2017 Mazda 6 with WI plate APN1548.

Albert Smith was known to the victim. It is believed that he is still in possession of a black handgun and should be considered armed and dangerous.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact Detective Vang at the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures (BOS) announces an update to the repair schedule for the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in the city of Oshkosh, Winnebago County.

WisDOT repairs to the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge were scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 26. Repairs have now been postponed due to material delays from the manufacture and the manufacture’s distributor. The components to fix the failed gear box were schedule for delivery this week. The manufacturer now anticipates delivery of components by November 11, 2022.

Updated Oregon/Jackson Street bridge repair plan, schedule and cost

The bridge is currently closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic after a bridge inspector discovered damaged gear teeth in the gearbox on the south leaf span during a routine inspection May 25, 2022. A subsequent investigation revealed additional damage in the gearbox that extended the manufacturing process to build the additional parts. The original 9-week repair schedule was then extended to 13 weeks in July following discovery of additional damage inside the gear box.

Bridge engineers reviewed the excessive wear on the gears and believe a corrupt bearing caused instability in the gearbox resulting in the gear wear. WisDOT investigated gear components on similar bridges and found no issues with gear wear.

A valve that controls the water service to the property located at 1118 High Avenue failed this morning, causing the need for an emergency repair. This area of High Avenue is also the detour route for Algoma Boulevard, which is being reconstructed. High Avenue may need to be restricted to one lane in order to maintain a safe working area for crews conducting the repair. A flagger will direct traffic if necessary.

The repair is anticipated to require up to six hours to be completed. Crews will be excavating and repairing the failed valve today, September 21st. At a minimum, traffic lane widths will be reduced and shifted to the western side of the street. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and stay alert for stopped traffic.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a weapons complaint that occurred in the 3700 block of Glenbrook Lane

On September 20th, 2022 at approximately 10:31 PM, Officers were dispatched to a report of a male discharging a firearm multiple times in the 3700 block of Glenbrook Lane. Officers took a 37 year old male into custody, and no one was injured.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

The Oshkosh North Band is fundraising for new marching band uniforms! Our current uniforms are 31 years old, so we are working very hard to replace them. We are close to meeting our fundraising goal, but we need the community’s help to get there! Donations can be made to the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Any questions can be directed to Gloria Dorschner-Mackie, Director of Bands, at [email protected]. Thank you!

A day of fun family activities and exciting guest appearances are on the horizon, as the EAA Aviation Museum’s annual Space Day returns to Oshkosh on Saturday, October 8, with a theme of sustainability in space.

Space Day marks EAA’s participation in World Space Week, with activities from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. all included with regular museum admission that day.

Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle pilot and commander, will be the featured speaker. Collins was selected as an astronaut in 1990 and made history in February 1995 as the first woman pilot of a U.S. space shuttle while serving on theDiscovery. In July 1999, Collins took the shuttle Columbia into orbit as the first woman to command a space shuttle mission. Before becoming an astronaut, Collins served in the Air Force where was the first female flight instructor. Collins will be presenting at 4 p.m. in the museum.

Additional Space Day activities include:

In addition, youths 18 and under can submit entries in the Space Day Habitat Creation contest. Participants can choose from two types of habitats, land-based or orbital, and must be constructed at home or off-site with recyclable material. More details are available at the EAA Aviation Museum website.

On September 13, 2022, at approximately 8:30 P.M., the Oshkosh Police Department was made aware of images on social media circulating and indicating a vague threat to Oshkosh West High School. The School Resource Officer immediately began coordinating an investigation into the incident jointly with the Oshkosh Area School District to identify the sources of the information being shared on social media.

Through the interviews of several students and sharing information with surrounding agencies it was determined the images did not originate in this area and other area agencies were investigating similar incidents with these shared images, including Appleton and North Fond Du Lac area schools.

Today, out of an abundance of caution, there will be an extra police presence at Oshkosh West High School. The safety and security of students, staff and community as a whole continues to be the focus of this investigation.

Lourdes Academy invites community members to help celebrate the opening of the school expansion and remodeling project from noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18. The event will take place at Lourdes Academy, 110 N. Sawyer St. Oshkosh, WI.

In December 2020, Lourdes Academy, in partnership with the Green Bay Diocese, Oshkosh Catholic parishes and the Catholic Foundation, launched the one by One campaign to raise $10 million to expand and renovate its existing grades 5-12 campus at Witzel Avenue and Sawyer Street. The additions unite its 4K-12 students on one campus. The $10 million goal was reached Nov. 11, 2021, and a total of $10.9 million raised for the project. There were over 800 donors and gift amounts ranged from $1-1.5 million.

“The vision is to expand Catholic education and strengthen the Catholic faith in the Oshkosh area for generations to come,” said John Dinegan, president of Lourdes Academy.

Ground was broken on the new additions Nov. 29, 2021 while renovations on existing spaces started June 6, 2022. Both projects were completed by Aug. 23, the first day of the 2022-23 school year. Two sections were added on to the north side of the building where the previous parking lot was located. The new high school wing features 11 new classrooms, administrative space and a faculty and student lounge. The new elementary addition includes a new cafeteria, worship space and administrative offices.

“God truly guided the project from the beginning to the end,” Dinegan said. “We were blessed with so many donors, workers and community members, as they made it possible to finish this project in time for the 2022-23 school year.”

The open house will allow the public to tour campus and view the new additions and renovated spaces. Guests who complete a scavenger hunt during the event will automatically be entered into a raffle at the conclusion of the event. Prizes include gift cards and Lourdes Academy apparel.

Parking will be available across Josslyn Street with additional handicap parking available next to the building. For more information, contact Karen Boehm at 920-426-3626, ext. 546 or [email protected].

On 09/08/2022 the Oshkosh Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Unit along with Detectives and Patrol Officers, conducted an undercover prostitution investigation on the North side of Oshkosh. During the course of the investigation officers took six adult males into custody.

These six males, ranging in age from 26-64 years old, were arrested for Pandering. Five of these males were from the Fox Valley Area and one was from Illinois. The Oshkosh Police Department works diligently to investigate crimes of this nature.

Human Trafficking awareness is vitally important. Some signs/things that may be associated with Human Trafficking involving a business are: long working hours, proximity of residence to business, lack of personal belongings in the home, large amounts of cash and only male customers.

For a variety of reasons, it can be very hard for Human Trafficking victims to get out of these situations. We partner with local non-profit organizations so that resources can be quickly provided to victims. The Oshkosh Police Department strives to reduce the number of victims by doing proactive investigations and being vigilant in our efforts to combat Human Trafficking.

The Wisconsin National Guard (WNG) has informed the city of Oshkosh that it will be conducting training operations in Oshkosh on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from approximately 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The training operations will focus on water rescue activities. Staging areas will be set up in Abe Rochlin Park and at the Fox River Brewing Company restaurant on the shores of the Fox River. All training activities will be located near and around the Oshkosh Avenue / Congress Avenue Bridge.

The WNG has assured the city that they will take steps to avoid any interference to marine traffic during the training. Most training will take place near the shore line. The WNG will also be displaying large banners to warn approaching boat traffic that training is taking place.

According to the WNG, the mission of the training exercises is to “improve Company survival readiness, build esprit-de-corps, and foster positive communications with the community.” Soldiers will each be expected to complete four separate aquatic exercises during the training.

The WNG has informed the Oshkosh Police Department and the Oshkosh Fire Department about the planned training exercises. The WNG has been coordinating with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Fox River Brewing Company. Please direct any questions regarding this training to Wisconsin National Guard Staff Sergeant Kati Volkman at [email protected].

Maj. Heather “Lucky” Penney, known for her involvement in protecting Washington D.C. on 9/11, will recount her experiences on Sunday, September 11, at 7 p.m. in a special edition of the EAA Aviation Museum Aviation Adventure Speaker Series.

Penney was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base on 9/11 when informed about the attacks on the World Trade Center. Upon hearing of two more hijacked airplanes, Penney and Col. Marc Sasseville took to the sky in F-16s with no time to fit them with weapons. Their mission was to stop hijacked Flight 93 by any means necessary, including ramming the airliner with their own aircraft. Flight 93 eventually crashed in Pennsylvania as the airliner’s passengers fought back against the hijackers.

Penney was commissioned into the air National Guard in May 1997, and first began pilot training in late 1998. She officially came back to her unit in January 2001, and earned her combat mission qualifications a few months later.

After 9/11, Penney flew for the Air National Guard in Washington D.C., and served two tours in Iraq. She retired from the Air Force in 2016, and currently works at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies as a senior resident fellow.

The event is free for EAA members and youths 5 and under, and $5 for nonmembers. The special Sept. 11 presentation is part of EAA’s annual remembrance of 9/11 and the people involved, especially those in the aviation community.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a pedestrian vs. train accident that occurred near the area of Pioneer Drive which resulted in the death of the pedestrian. This accident occurred at about 02:13 AM on September 4, 2022.

The pedestrian was an 18 year old male.

If anybody has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.

GO Transit’s bus service will not be operating on Monday, September 5, 2022, because of the city’s observance of the Labor Day holiday. GO Transit’s office at 926 Dempsey Trail will also be closed on September 5th. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, September 6th.

To learn more about GO Transit please visit www.rideGOtransit.com or call (920) 232-5340.

The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the City’s observance of Labor Day, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Monday, September 5, 2022.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, September 9 moves to Saturday, September 10. Regular services will resume on Monday, September 12.

Additionally, the City’s yard waste drop off site located on W. 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) will be closed for the holiday on Monday, September 5. The drop off site will reopen on Tuesday, September 6.

Residential curbside brush collection for September will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the week of September 12 through September 16.

If you would like more information please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating an accident that occurred on Koeller Street at Witzel Avenue in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 3:02 PM, Officers were dispatched to an accident on Koeller Street at Witzel Avenue. The accident involved a motorcycle vs a car. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to a local hospital for life threatening injuries.

The Oshkosh Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team and OPD Detectives responded to the scene and are continuing to investigate this accident.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

The Oshkosh Police Department responded to a welfare check on the Wisconsin Street Bridge in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 7:00 PM, Officers were dispatched to the Wisconsin Street Bridge to check the welfare of an individual at that location. Officers made contact with this male and spoke with him for approximately 1.5 hours and during this time, traffic to the area was restricted.

After speaking with Officers, this male agreed to come off of the bridge. There were no weaponsinvolved and no one was injured during this incident.

On Tuesday afternoon, Michael Blake was located in Waushara County around 12:15 p.m. and was taken into custody.

Earlier in the day Oshkosh police said the whereabouts of escaped inmate Michael Blake remain unknown. A woman believed to be traveling with him has been located.

Jamie Jo Misevicz was located in Waushara County.

Blake was thought to traveling be in a 2005 Ford Explorer (bronze in color) Wisconsin license plate AJF7851 with Misevicz DOB 09/10/1975. Jamie Misevicz is a white female, 5’04” 139 lbs. JMisevicz has a distinct tattoo on the right side of her neck.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating an incident in which an inmate from the Winnebago Correctional Center (located at 4300 Sherman Rd in the City of Oshkosh) has escaped from custody. WCC is a minimum security level State Prison.

On 08/29/2022 at approximately 2:52 PM, the Oshkosh Police Department was informed that a DOC inmate, Michael P. Blake DOB 04-04-1979, had walked away from WCC sometime today between 12:15 PM- 2:15 PM.

Michael Blake is a white male, 5’7” 170 pounds, Bald with Hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing green pants and a beige t shirt. The Oshkosh Police Department is working with the Winnebago Correctional Center to locate this individual. A photo of Michael Blake is included with this Media Release. Michael Blake previously resided in the Appleton area.

If anybody has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700.

If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or add the free P3 App to your Apple or Android phone and add a tip; or go to www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org. If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

On Tuesday, August 16, Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) kicked off its fundraising goal of $1.8 million during its 60th Annual Community Giving Campaign Kickoff event, sponsored by Amcor Flexibles and Oshkosh Corporation with supporting sponsorship by Baird. This year’s campaign theme is Change Begins With Me/We.

The community event, held at the Oshkosh Convention Center, kicked off the United Way fundraising season and the dollars raised will focus on improving access to resources for Early Childhood Development, Mental Health, and Steps to a Living Wage.

Attendees were invited to wear their favorite aviation gear for the high-flying celebration while theyenjoyed networking with community members, food, and inspirational speakers.

“We want area residents to know how their participation in our community fundraiser supports 42 localprograms that directly impact 1 in 3 people in our area,” said Brenda Haines, OAUW Campaign Co-Chairand co-owner of Blue Door Consulting. “This individual could be your friend, family member, neighbor,co-worker, or employee.”

“We increased this year’s fundraising goal to $1.8 million to support the growing need in thecommunity.” continued Haines.

“As a longtime supporter of the United Way, I’m excited to be directly involved in this year’s campaignso I can inspire our community to give, advocate, and volunteer,” said Chris Nimis, OAUW Campaign Co-Chair and Vice President of Product Management at Amcor Flexibles. Nimis adds, “Small donations andideas can turn into big changes and with your help, United Way makes it easy to help those big changestakeoff and impact lives right here in our own backyard.”

The Oshkosh Area United Way thanks the staff at Amcor Flexibles, Oshkosh Corporation, Blue DoorConsulting, Baird, Oshkosh Convention Center, their volunteers, and all attendees for their support, andthe opportunity to enjoy this event with them.

The Winnebago County Health Department is currently offering the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine, by appointment only, to individuals at the highest risk for infection. Prioritization is based on guidelines provided by the Wisconsin Department of Heath Services.

Vaccination is currently recommended for people who had known exposure to someone with monkeypox and people with certain risk factors who are more likely to be exposed to the virus. This includes:

To make an appointment or see if you qualify, contact the Winnebago County Health Department’s hotline at 920-232-3026 or email [email protected].

“Timing matters for anyone seeking the vaccine after exposure to monkeypox,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department Health Officer/Director. “The vaccine is generally more effective the sooner you get it after an exposure, so please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule an appointment.”

To help prevent the onset of disease, JYNNEOS should be administered within four days from the date of exposure to the monkeypox virus. If the vaccine is administered between four to 14 days after the date of exposure, getting vaccinated may help reduce the severity of symptoms associated with monkeypox infection.

Monkeypox does not spread easily to others, and the risk of monkeypox spreading widely throughout our community remains low. To date, two cases have been reported in Winnebago County residents. Most people with monkeypox report having prolonged close contact, including kissing, hugging or sexual activity, with someone else who has monkeypox. Monkeypox can also spread through respiratory droplets and by having contact with items that have been contaminated with the fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox. While most cases nationwide are occurring in the sexual network of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, it is important to know that monkeypox can affect anyone and a person’s sexuality or sexual orientation are not the route of transmission. Learn the signs and symptoms of monkeypox and contact a healthcare provider or the health department if you develop a new or unexplained rash.

For more information, call the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3000 or visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

EnTech Solutions, a comprehensive distributed energy provider, and Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh, a state-of-the-art medical facility providing personal, compassionate care, announced the commissioning of a clean-energy solar installation at the medical center site. This photovoltaic (PV) solar system is the continuation of Aurora’s energy partnership with EnTech Solutions.

Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh is a leader in energy efficiency and has been an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star qualifier since 2012, with a current rating of 98. The application of solar is the next step in its energy journey, moving from energy efficiency to energy generation.

“We’re committed to increasing sustainability and conserving natural resources for our communities today and future generations as part of our commitment to helping people live well, and I am proud Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh is helping to set that precedent,” said Jeff Bard, president of Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh.

EnTech Solutions, a division of Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI), designed and procured the components for the solar system to effectively utilize the rooftop space available. The AMC-Oshkosh team performed the installation with guidance from EnTech and utilized this project as a springboard to train a staff electrician for certification through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), a widely recognized certification organization for renewable energy professionals.

Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh’s solar team pictured from left to right: Alec Jones, Tony Rusch, Tom Radke, Ryan Tamminga, Scott Rick, Tony Cayemberg, John Fialkowski, Ryley Wentworth, Chris Moureau, and John Habeck. Photo courtesy EnTech Solutions.

The installation features three parallel rows of PV panels mounted to the south-facing roof as well as mounted equipment screens. The system provides 51,000 kWh of electricity annually which is enough to power seven homes. The system has also been designed to accommodate future expansion for added capacity.

The photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system at Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh. Photo courtesy EnTech Solutions.

“This is a great example of the AMC-Oshkosh facilities operations team demonstrating strong leadership, local resourcefulness and innovation in the face of challenges to bringing renewable power to fruition,” said Jedd Winkler, Advocate Aurora Health corporate energy manager. “The facilities operations team leads our organization’s efforts toward renewable sourcing.”

“At EnTech Solutions, we partner with our customers to support their paths to smarter energy and related objectives,” said Dan Nordloh, senior vice president and general manager of EnTech Solutions. “Aurora has been a model of what an organization can do, continually looking to improve energy efforts through the implementation of efficiency methods and equipment, and now to actually generating power on-site.”

EnTech also provides continued on-site support and remote monitoring of the hospital’s solar and other electrical systems, optimizing its energy generation and utilization.

For more information on EnTech Solutions and the services it provides, visit energybyentech.com or email [email protected].

For more information about Aurora Medical Center-Oshkosh, see aurorahealthcare.org/locations/hospital/aurora-medical-center-oshkosh.

The Story Time series for young aviation fans returns to the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh on September 8. The Story Time series are biweekly, one-hour programs that include an aviation story and a hands-on activity for youth ages 3-to-5, but all are welcome. All sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. and pre-registration is encouraged to plan for project materials.

The September 8 EAA Story Time takes youngsters on a trip with one adventurous mouse, followed by an opportunity to build a paper kite. On September 22, an aerial race around the Eiffel Tower in Paris is the adventure, followed by a hands-on activity building balsa gliders. On October 6 and 22, space travel will be the theme with hands-on activities relating to rockets and space.

Pre-registration is available at EAA.org/StoryTime. EAA members and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge, with regular museum admission for all others. Child caregivers are expected to be present with the children during each program.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details. Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Thurs., Sept. 1

Wood Carved Duck Decoy display, 2nd floor, all ages (runs through Nov. 1)

Monarch Life-Cycle Scavenger Hunt, all ages (runs through Sept. 18)

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Fri., Sept. 2

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-11

Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6-8

Young Adult Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 9-12

Sat., Sept. 3

Free movie: Fahrenheit 451 at Time Community Theater, 7 p.m., all ages

Mon., Sept. 5

Library closed for Labor Day

Freedom to Read Scavenger Hunt, all ages (runs through Sept. 30)

Book Buzz: It Ends with Us, 8 a.m., YouTube

Tues., Sept. 6

Fall/Winter library hours begin

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Sept. 7

Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1-4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Sept. 8

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Fri., Sept. 9

Elementary Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 5-8

Sat., Sept. 10

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all ages

Mon., Sept. 12

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12

F Stop: Joy Photo Contest submissions open, ages 13 and older

Tues., Sept. 13

Adult DIY: Fall Wood Sign, 6 p.m., adults

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Sept. 14

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Memory Café: MToxins Venom Lab, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Bricks & Beers at Fifth Ward Brewing Co., 6 – 7:30 p.m., adults

Poetry Open Mic at Planet Perk, 6 p.m., teens and adults

Thurs., Sept. 15

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adults

Wonderlab: Fall Migration Challenge, 6:30 p.m., ages 5-9

Fri., Sept. 16

Librarian Learns: History of the SOBs (Society of Oshkosh Brewers), 9 a.m., YouTube

Sat., Sept. 17

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all ages

Supporting our Monarch Population, 10 a.m., all ages

Wonderlab: Fall Migration Challenge, 10:30 a.m., ages 5-9

Mon., Sept. 19

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12

Freedom to Read Book Discussion at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., all ages

Tues., Sept. 20

Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adults

Freedom to Read Book Discussion at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., all ages

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Sept. 21

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Freedom to Read Book Discussion at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., all ages

Pioneer Churches of Wisconsin, 6 p.m., adults

Thurs., Sept. 22

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Freedom to Read Book Discussion at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., all ages

Fri., Sept. 23

Freedom to Read Book Discussion at Planet Perk, 5 p.m., all ages

Sat., Sept. 24

LEGO Wall Open Build, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., kids of all ages

Freedom to Read Panel Presentation and Discussion, 1 p.m., all ages

Mon., Sept. 26

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5-12

Tues., Sept. 27

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Sept. 28

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Sept. 29

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

The Oshkosh Police Department will be participating in Drive Sober High Visibility Enforcement Grants (“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”) from August 17- September 5, 2022.

This statewide law enforcement partnership aims to keep people safer on the roads by eliminating the risks of impaired driving. Last year in Wisconsin, there were 6,368 alcohol-related crashes, including 166 deaths.

Alcohol contributed to more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities.

Thank you for your support throughout the year to help keep our streets and communities safe. If you see a driver you suspect is under the influence, please call the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700.

Oshkosh Defense, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, today announced it was granted five new patents for the Oshkosh Defense hybrid electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, or eJLTV, strengthening the company’s intellectual property position in hybrid-electric technology.

The Oshkosh eJLTV was unveiled in January 2022 as the first-ever silent drive hybrid electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. These recent patents relate to the accessory drive approach, battery and inverter integration, and the range and capability of the Oshkosh vehicle.

“Hybrid electric vehicle technology provides silent drive, extended silent watch, enhanced fuel economy, and increased exportable power that enables it to be used in combat and reconnaissance scenarios,” said George Mansfield, Vice President and General Manager of Joint Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “The addition of these recent patents underscores our unique ability to deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of our customer and advance technology for the tactical wheeled vehicle fleet.”

Oshkosh has a robust portfolio of 115+ patents and pending applications for the JLTV, the eJLTV, and related technologies. For more information on Oshkosh’s patented technology, visit our JLTV patent page on our website.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a robbery at an area business in the 2000 block of Witzel Avenue that occurred at approximately 2:00 pm today, 08/12/2022.

Officers received information that a person entered multiple businesses in the area and demanded money while claiming to possess a weapon. The person received an undisclosed amount of cash from one of the businesses and fled the scene. The suspect also attempted to steal a vehicle with a threat of force.

Officers located a suspect in the area a short time later and took a 28 year old male into custody and recovered cash from the suspect at around 2:20 pm today, 08/12/2022.

At this time the person has been identified and this appears to be an isolated incident and it is not believed the public is in danger. The Oshkosh Police Department is not looking for any other suspects at this time.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

Victims and witnesses of crimes have rights. For more information about these rights and services, please visit our webpage at: http://www.oshkoshpd.com/VictimServices/

The Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) team released its 2021-2022 annual report sharing statistics, trends and recommendations to prevent future overdoses and deaths in our community.

“Overdose deaths continue to rise across our country and local communities,” said Jennifer Skolaski, facilitator of the Winnebago County OFR team. “The need for better support systems for people struggling with substance use disorders is urgent, and the information that our team gathers is an important piece in understanding the factors that may have contributed to these deaths so we can help save lives.”

The overdose fatality review team is made up of 47 partners representing 36 organizations, all working together to address the root causes of overdose deaths and make our community a safer place to live, work and be. The team reviewed data from overdose deaths from June 2021 to July 2022 and conducted an in-depth examination of the lives of nine of those individuals through a process that involves sharing data, risk factors about the victim’s life and death, and identifying system issues related to addiction and substance use.

Some of the key takeaways were:

The OFR team outlined recommendations to prevent overdose deaths based on the data and themes from case reviews. Priorities for this next year include improving access to treatment, increasing support from medical providers, improving response to changes in drug trends, and supporting children to prevent early substance use.

In 2021-2022, the OFR team and partners had many successes. They addressed child trauma through the Handle with Care program, improved access to Narcan through the Oshkosh Fire Department’s Leave Behind Narcan Kits, provided free fentanyl test strips through the Winnebago County Health Department in partnership with Vivent Health, offered training and installed Naloxone Boxes at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and worked to break through the stigma at the We Heart You event.

“The health department provides Narcan free of charge to anyone who wants it, and we have been working to expand availability in areas outside of Oshkosh through community partnerships and Naloxboxes,” said Danielle Florence, community health strategist, Winnebago County Health Department. “The more people in the community who have access to harm reduction services and trainings, the more we can effectively work together to prevent overdoses and save lives.”

Narcan is a harm reduction tool anyone can use to save a life. It is currently available at the Winnebago County Health Department’s Oshkosh office, Solutions Recovery, Vivent and Unity Recovery Services for no charge. Fentanyl test strips can also be found at the health department and Vivent.

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, the Winnebago County Health Department, an OFR partner, will be hosting a free virtual Narcan training from noon to 1 p.m. Participants will learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose using Narcan. To sign up, visit wchd.pub/augustnarcantraining.

The OFR team is also hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn on Friday, August 26, from noon to 1 p.m. to share findings from the annual report and highlight recent successes. Visit the Winnebago County Health Department’s website at www.winnebagopublichealth.org to view the complete OFR annual report and register for the Lunch & Learn.

Come learn about the berry wonderful free services Winnebago County has to offer the community!

Winnebago County Human Services, Aging & Disability Resource Center, Public Health, Veterans Services and Long Term Support are teaming together to welcome the community to a Berry Fun Open House event on Tuesday.

There will be mini-presentations at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m, and staff will be available to talk about Power of Attorney forms, memory screenings and much more! Staff will be providing berry themed dessert samples and raffle prizes.

OASD’s Brewing Futures Mobile Cafe will also be selling berry themed food from 10 a.m. to noon.

Last night (August 11, 2022) at around 10:00 we were dispatched for a structure fire at Court Tower, 100 Court St. The first crews in found a small fire that had been extinguished by the sprinkler system on the ninth floor.

Due to the amount of water put out by the sprinkler system the ninth and eighth floor and the apartments under the fire apartment had extensive water damage and had to be evacuated. Fourteen people were displaced.

The Red Cross opened up a shelter at the Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, 1174 Algoma Boulevard. Most of those that were displaced took advantage of the shelter for the night.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

The Oshkosh Examiner will be on its summer publishing break for the next two weeks. We’ll be back Aug. 15. See you then!

The Oshkosh Police Department has investigated 38 incidents so far this year involving Orbeez Guns.Orbeez Guns are plastic air soft facsimile weapons that use water-filled projectiles.

Some of these Orbeez closely resemble real firearms, such as hand guns and rifles. If these facsimile weapons are mistaken as real firearms, the results can be catastrophic.

There is a current trend on social media encouraging individuals to post videos of themselves shooting the gun at random people. The Oshkosh Police Department has made four arrests for this type of behavior (Disorderly Conduct and Shooting an Airsoft Gun).

These projectiles can injure people and also cause damage to property. This week in Oshkosh, two children were injured by an individual firing this type of gun out of a moving vehicle.

The safety of our children is our number one priority. We strongly urge parents to monitor their kids if they own one of these Orbeez guns and explain to them the consequences of shooting these guns at people or property.

The Oshkosh Area United Way’s (OAUW) Board of Directors announces the selection of Beth Oswald as its new president and CEO starting in September.

Oswald, who has lived in Oshkosh most of her life and is a graduate of both Fox Valley Technical College and the University of Oshkosh, joins OAUW after acting as the executive director of Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services for over six years.

“On behalf of the Oshkosh Area United Way’s Board of Directors, I am proud to announce Beth Oswald as our next president and CEO,” said Amy Sitter, chair of the OAUW’s Board of Directors. “Beth’s dynamic nonprofit and resource development experience is exactly what our search committee was looking for and we are excited to have her join us for the upcoming 2022 Community Giving Campaign.”

Beth brings to the OAUW a successful history of fundraising and optimizing financial operations. Oswald also brings a commitment to cultivating conversations and collaboration that mobilizes partners, government entities, and funders to make a greater impact on Oshkosh and the surrounding area.

“I’ve been an advocate for the health and safety of our residents, so I have a huge interest in seeing this organization succeed,” said Oswald. “We need our neighbor’s help to invest in our community and I look forward to helping us achieve that goal. I’m excited about this new opportunity and look forward to working with my team to bring positive change to the lives of individuals and families in our area.”

Oswald also shared that she looks forward to building on the impressive momentum the United Way has already experienced over the past few years, allowing OAUW to fund more than 40 area programs that improve access to resources for Early Childhood Education, Mental Health, and Steps to a Living Wage. She looks forward to building and strengthening her relationships within the community.

A search committee for this position included 10 OAUW board members and reviewed over 30 candidates during the two-month review process.

On 07/25/2022 beginning at 6:03 pm, the Winnebago County 911 Communications Center beganreceiving multiple calls about a semi tractor/trailer that had been in a crash. The semi tractor/trailer hadbeen traveling on I-41 southbound when it veered off the interstate through the fenceline, crossed thefrontage road, and crashed into an occupied residence on Green Valley Road.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The driver of the semi tractor/trailer is identified as a 63-year-old man from Little Chute. He sustainedminor injuries in the crash.

Tragically, one occupant inside the home died at the scene of the crash, an 8-month-old baby boy.

As a result of the crash, subsequent investigation, crash reconstruction, and scene clean-up, Green Valley Road was closed between STH 76 and CTH GG for approximately 10.5 hours.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by and offers thanks to the Wisconsin State Patrol,Neenah Police Department, Menasha Police Department, Town of Vinland Fire Department, Town ofOshkosh Fire Department, Gold Cross Ambulance, ThedaStar Air Medical, Wisconsin Public Service, FoxCities Victim Crisis Response Team, Winnebago County Highway Department, and the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office.

We would like to extend a special thanks to two tow companies who quickly responded with heavywreckers to try to help assist, Accel Auto and Expert Towing.

Please keep your thoughts with the family and friends of everyone involved.

Tom Poberezny, the retired president and chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association, is being mourned by the EAA and aviation communities after his death early Monday (July 25) at age 75, following a brief illness. Poberezny was EAA president from 1989 until 2010, and also served as chairman for two years until his retirement in 2011.

“It is not lost on us that Tom’s passing occurred on the opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the event he led into world prominence as its chairman beginning in the 1970s,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Tom’s legacy is tremendous in the world of aviation with his personal achievements as well as the growth of EAA, especially the development of the current EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh, the Young Eagles program, and the creation of Sport Pilot nearly 20 years ago. He will be greatly missed but more importantly, he will be remembered for all that he did for EAA and aviation. Our deep condolences and prayers go to Tom’s wife, Sharon, and his daughter, Lesley, and the rest of the Poberezny family.”

An accomplished aviator in his own right, Tom was a member of the U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Team that captured the World Championship in 1972. The following year, he won the U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic Championship. He subsequently flew for 25 years as one wing of the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Team (originally the Red Devils), the most successful civilian precision flying team in history.

During his career with EAA, Tom has overseen a number of the organization’s milestone events. In the late 1970s he spearheaded EAA’s first major capital campaign, which supported construction of the current EAA Aviation Center headquarters and museum complex at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

In 1992, he led the creation of EAA’s Young Eagles, which has become the most successful aviation youth program in history. Realizing the importance of mentoring to the future of aviation, EAA aimed to give one million kids between the ages of 8 and 17 an airplane flight by the centennial of powered flight on December 17, 2003. The one millionth Young Eagle was flown in October 2003, celebrating the efforts of 85,000 EAA volunteers to reach the goal. The Young Eagles Program has now flown nearly 2.3 million young people.

In 2002‐2003, Tom led EAA’s Countdown to Kitty Hawk program, which commissioned the construction of the first completely authentic reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer – the airplane that gave birth to powered flight. The airplane successfully flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in late 2003 and was present on those hallowed grounds on December 17, 2003 – 100 years to the minute from the Wrights’ first flight.

Memorial services are still being determined at this time. EAA is also planning a memorial and tribute to Poberezny during AirVenture 2022. More information will be announced as it is finalized.

On 07/25/22 around 6:03 pm, the Winnebago County 911 Communications Center began receiving multiple calls about a semi tractor/trailer that had been in a crash. The preliminary investigation indicates that the semi tractor/trailer was traveling on I-41 southbound when it left the interstate, crossed the frontage road, and crashed into an occupied residence on Green Valley Road.

This is a significant crash and Green Valley Road will be closed for an extended period of time between STH 76 and CTH GG for the ongoing investigation and reconstruction. We ask that you stay away from this area.

Please keep the friends and families of those involved in your thoughts and prayers. No further information will be released tonight.

A local collaboration of organizations, including The Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wittman Regional Airport, and the City of Oshkosh Community Development Department, will be exhibiting at EAA AirVenture 2022 to showcase the Oshkosh area as a great place every week of the year! An outcome of a tourism and quality of life study done by Rodger Brooks last year, this collaboration was founded with the goal to welcome the crowds to Oshkosh and ask them to come back again. It also supports each individual organization’s goals to promote Oshkosh to prospective visitors, residents, employees, and employers. Greater Oshkosh President and CEO, Tricia Rathermel explained, “We are excited to not only welcome the EAA crowd back to Oshkosh again, but also to show them that Oshkosh is a great place to visit, live, work, and do business all year long!” This isn’t the first time Greater Oshkosh, Wittman Regional Airport, and the City of Oshkosh worked together at EAA AirVenture. Last year, the group came together to introduce the Oshkosh Aviation Park, an 80-acre business park situated to the South East of Runway 18-36. This development-ready land is primed for take-off. Oshkosh offers a special place to the aviation industry, and the Oshkosh Aviation Park is an investment in growing this business sector. After such a warm welcome in 2021, Greater Oshkosh EDC, Wittman Regional Airport, and the City of Oshkosh are excited to be back at the greatest airshow in the world, EAA AirVenture, and ready to showcase the hallowed aviation land available for business expansion and relocation. Learn more about Oshkosh Aviation Park at OshkoshAviationPark.com.

Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) and area partners recently received a $75,000 Project Growth Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building grant from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and their partner, First Children’s Finance. This grant focuses on building childcare supply through a collaborative community approach.

“We look forward to collaborating with local organizations to find innovative childcare solutions for our working families, early educators, and employers,” said Sue Luft, OAUW Impact and Outreach Specialist. “Leveraging our diverse partnerships to address the gaps in childcare is crucial to the health andwellbeing of the community.”

The grant will help address the childcare challenges Oshkosh and the surrounding area are facing andthe impact it has had on our local workforce.

“Recruiting workforce to live and work in the area is difficult with the lack of available childcare,” statesTricia Rathermel, the President and CEO of Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation. “Making childcare accessible is a start to getting working-aged adults back in the workforce.”

Out of 39 applicants, OAUW and its partners are one of twenty-eight cross-sector teams chosen toreceive strategic planning support and $75,000 in grant funding to evaluate, plan, sustain, and expandexisting childcare, and support new childcare programs.

“We have seen in various communities across the state that when business, economic development, early learning, and other community partners come together and innovate, we all benefit,” said DCF Secretary Emilie Amundson. “These grants are helping us kickstart and build those partnerships, as wellas find innovative and sustainable childcare solutions that can be modeled in communities andbusinesses across the state.”

The team will begin the strategic planning process this Fall. The core team includes:

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.

The following person is being released:

GERALD S SCHNEIDER M/W 09-18-1951 is being released on JULY 27, 2022 into the City of Oshkosh (homeless).

June 26, 2009

The offender was convicted in 1976 of SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH CHILD and in 1993 of 3 COUNTS OF 1ST DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD. The victims were two 8 year old female acquaintances, a 12 year old female acquaintance and a 15 year old female acquaintance.

SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS/REQUIREMENTS:1.) COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF LIFETIME SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION 2.) COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF LIFETIME GPS MONITORING

GERALD SCHNEIDER will be HOMELESS in Oshkosh, WI as of July 27, 2022. The Court ordered discharge from his chapter 980 commitment and he is no longer on any form of probation/parole or extended supervision. He is on Lifetime GPS. For more information check www.widocoffenders.org.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday released the completed crash report from the July 9 collision on the Fox River between a powerboat and a commercial paddleboat.

This includes surveillance video footage that captured the crash.

The Sheriff’s Office said it appreciates the continued outpouring of tips and leads the community has provided as it hase been investigating this incident. This very much remains an active investigation.

Dan Weisse, a former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee basketball star and the school’s first recruit under former coach Bo Ryan, has been selected to serve as the next Oshkosh West High School boys varsity basketball coach. Weisse’s appointment will be included as an agenda item on the November 9 Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education Meeting. Pending Board approval, this appointment will begin on November 10, 2022.

Weisse replaces Mike Johnson, whose work for a fantasy football site had drawn the attention of some parents but was not in violation of district policies.

A 1999 Oshkosh West graduate and Oshkosh West High School Hall of Fame inductee, Weisse has coached at the college and high school levels, most recently as the head coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) where he recorded the most wins in the school’s Division II era. Weisse also served as an assistant coach at Minnesota State University Moorhead, director of basketball operations at North Dakota State University, a graduate assistant at Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and assistant basketball coach at Milwaukee Rufus King High School. As a college athlete, Weisse was the first recruit at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee under Bo Ryan, who retired as the head coach of the University of Wisconsin. While at Milwaukee, Weisse also played for Greg Gard, the current University of Wisconsin head coach, and current Auburn University head coach, Bruce Pearl.

“His resume speaks for itself and we are excited to not only bring on someone of his caliber but to have one of our very own graduates return to our program to impact current and future Wildcats,” said Brad Jodarski, Oshkosh West activities director. “Dan is focused on bringing a winning philosophy with a championship culture to our boys basketball program. His student-centered approach and commitment to building relationships will be an asset to our entire school community.”

Weiss was recommended by an interview committee, and as part of the selection process participated in a meet and greet with current Oshkosh West and Oshkosh West Basketball Club players and families.

“I am very excited to get back to my hometown with my family,” said Dan Weisse. “Oshkosh West has always been a special place to me. I had great teachers, great teammates, and great memories here. I also had the privilege to play for Coach Steve Randall, and it will be an honor to coach on the floor that has his name on it.”

Weisse is committed to creating a championship culture and understands the importance of helping students reach their full potential on and off the court. “I look forward to getting to know our young student-athletes, their families, supporters, and the entire community. I am honored for the opportunity and excited to get started.”

Weisse graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He also holds a master’s degree in sport management from Middle Tennessee State University.Oshkosh West High School is committed to creating a culture for learning that engages the entire school community so that all students graduate college, career, and community ready. The school offers more than 60 different co-curricular opportunities for students ranging from Division 1 athletics to fine arts, to interest- and curriculum-based clubs. For more information visit oshkosh-west-high.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details. Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Mon., Aug. 1

Book Buzz: Gallant, 8 a.m., YouTube

Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolers

Tues., Aug. 2

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Aug. 3

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Aug. 4

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Fri., Aug. 5

Live concert: Third Lake Brass Quintet, 10 a.m., all ages

Teen Book Club, 1 p.m., grades 6-12

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-12

Mon., Aug. 8

Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolers

Tues., Aug. 9

Teen DIY Drop-In: Button Making, 1 – 3 p.m., grades 6 – 12

Adult DIY: Macrame Plant Hanger, 6 p.m., adults

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Aug. 10

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Memory Café: Summer Vacation, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adults LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Aug. 11

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Thursday Afternoon Book Group, 1:30 p.m., adults

Wonderlab: Soil Layers Edible Experiment, 6:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9

Fri., Aug. 12

Wonderlab: Soil Layers Edible Experiment, 10:30 a.m., ages 5 – 9

Sat., Aug. 13

Final day of Summer Reading Challenge.

Mon., Aug. 15

Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolers

Tues., Aug. 16

Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adults Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Aug. 17

Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1-4

Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Aug. 18

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adults

Fri., Aug. 19

Librarian Learns: Terrell’s Island, 9 a.m., YouTube

Sat., Aug. 20

Thanks a Million Oshkosh! 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., all ages

Zoomobile, 10:30 a.m., all ages

Mon., Aug. 22

Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolers

Tues., Aug. 23

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Aug. 24

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages

Thurs., Aug. 25

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Wonderlab: Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition, 6:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9

Fri., Aug. 26

Wonderlab: Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition, 10:30 a.m., ages 5 – 9

Mon., Aug. 29

Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolers

Tues., Aug. 30

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Aug. 31

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all ages Entries due by 6 p.m. for Mark Gruenwald Comic Book Creation Challenge

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of Structures (BOS) announces an update to the repair scope and schedule for the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in the city of Oshkosh, Winnebago County. The original nine-week repair estimate has been extended to 13 weeks following discovery of additional damage inside a failed gear box. Repairs are now expected to finish by September 30, 2022.

The bridge is currently closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic after a bridge inspector discovered damaged gear teeth in the gearbox on the south leaf span during a routine inspection May 25, 2022. Regal/Rexnord, the company manufacturing the new gears and refurbishing the gearbox, recently identified additional damage in the gearbox that extends the manufacturing process to build the additional parts.

Updated Oregon/Jackson Street bridge repair plan, schedule and cost

· Repair

o Remove old gearbox (finished)

o Manufacturer new gears and realign shaft bores (underway)

o Install new parts in gearbox (end of September)

o Reinstall gearbox in bridge (end of September)

· Schedule

o Parts manufacturing: 12 weeks (modified from original eight-week timeframe)

o Reinstallation and testing: One week

o Estimated repair finish and opening of bridge: Sept. 30, 2022.

· Traffic impacts

o The bridge will remain closed to vehicles and pedestrian traffic during repairs.

o Repairs may also affect passage of marine traffic for brief periods.

· Cost Estimate

o $136,000 up from $125,000 (increased due to additional parts manufacturing)

Regal/Rexnord reviewed the excessive wear on the gears and believe a corrupt bearing caused instability in the gearbox resulting in the gear wear. WisDOT investigated gear components on similar bridges and found no issues with gear wear.

From the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office:

This is an update on the Fox River boat crash that occurred on 07/09/2022. As has been previously released, a commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise paddleboat with 43 passengers and crew sustained severe damage to the port side when it was struck by a private 45-foot powerboat carrying seven total occupants. Several people on board the paddleboat sustained some form of injury. The 45-foot powerboat fled the scene after the collision, making no attempt to render any aid to the paddleboat or its occupants. Several agencies assisted in searching boat landings and nearby private residences to locate the powerboat, it’s owner, and the additional occupants well into the night, to no avail. On 07/12/2022 the owner and operator of the powerboat, identified as Jason Lindemann (age 52) of Oshkosh, was arrested and taken into custody for 12 counts of Recklessly Endangering Safety 2nd Degree (Class G Felony) and 11 counts of Failure to Render Aid after a Boating Accident (Misdemeanor).

Today, we can report that we have identified all seven occupants of the powerboat.

This has been a lengthy and ongoing process, and we are still feverishly looking to speak with all 43 occupants of the paddleboat. While we believe we have identified and attempted to contact everyone who was listed on the manifest, thus far we have been unsuccessful in speaking with everyone.

We are asking that if you were a passenger on the paddleboat and we have been unsuccessful in contacting you, please contact us.

Additionally, we are looking to speak to anyone who saw the powerboat (photo attached) at ANY time on Saturday July 9, 2022.

For either of the above, please call us at 920-236-7316 and leave a message indicating the best time for us to return a call.

The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the continued outpouring of tips and leads the community has provided as we have been investigating this incident. While an arrest has been made, this very much remains an active investigation.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information willenhance public safety.

The following person is being released:

SAMUEL I. BRATSVEN M/W 04-29-1980 is being released on JULY 26,2022 into the City of Oshkosh (homeless).

The offender was convicted in 2001 of 4 COUNTS OF 1ST DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF ACHILD. The victim was a 7 year old female acquaintance.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating an accident that occurred in the 400 Block of W 12th Avenue in the City of Oshkosh.

At approximately 6:45 PM, Officers were dispatched to an accident in the 400 Block of W 12th Avenue. The accident involved a motorcycle vs a parked car. No one was inside of the parked car at the time of the accident and the driver of the motorcycle was the only person on the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident.

The Oshkosh Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team and OPD Detectives responded to the scene and are continuing to investigate this accident. The roadway in the 400 Block of W 12th Avenue is currently closed. Please avoid this area until further notice.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

From the Oshkosh Fire Department.

On Friday, July 15th Assistant Chief John Ziemer is retiring after serving the City of Oshkoshand the Oshkosh Fire Department for over 32 years. Assistant Chief Ziemer worked his way allthe way up through the ranks from firefighter to where he is today.

There will be a Retirement Gathering this Friday, July 15, from 10:00-3:00 at Station 15, 101Court St.

We will be sad to see Assistant Chief Ziemer go and take his wealth of knowledge with him.However, we thank him for his years of service and wish him a long and healthy, well-deservedretirement.

The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC- DTA) announced that it has awarded Oshkosh Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), an order valued at $130 Million to upgrade 95 additional Stryker Double-V Hull Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVVA1) with the 30 mm Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS).In June 2021, the U.S. Army selected Oshkosh Defense and partners Pratt Miller Defense and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to integrate the 30 mm MCWS onto the Stryker ICVVA1. The five-year requirements contract (with one option year) includes production and logistics support of the MCWS for up to six Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs). Including today’s order, the U.S. Army has ordered 269 upgraded vehicles valued at $356 Million to outfit three SBCTs in addition to 20 vehicles for Product Verification Testing (PVT), Follow-on Operational Testing & Evaluation (FOT&E), and logistics development.“We partner with our customers to offer tailored solutions that meet today’s requirements while staying focused on future growth capability,” said Pat Williams, Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps Programs. “For the MCWS program, our team listened to customer feedback to provide a Soldier-centric lethality solution in a lightweight package that’s easy to integrate while maintaining the survivability and mobility performance of the Stryker.”

In April 2022, Oshkosh Defense completed Government-planned Risk Management Testing (RMT), which further validated the Oshkosh design. Oshkosh Defense also initiated production of the systems for delivery to PVT testing, which begins in late summer.

“We are proud of the partnership we’ve formed with the U.S. Army and the lethality solution we’ve designed together. We look forward to delivering the vehicles to test and getting them into the hands of the Soldiers who need them,” Williams concluded.

This is an announcement from the Oshkosh Police Department.

THIERRY A. NOTTELET M/W 02-06-1964 is being released on JULY 21, 2022 to 851 W County Rd Y in the City of Oshkosh. The Oshkosh Police Department in conjunction with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office will be having a Community Notification Meeting on July 18th at 5:00PM held at the Oshkosh Police Department (420 Jackson Street Room SB1). The public is invited to attend this meeting. Sex Offender Registration Specialist Heather Dedering will be in attendance to answer your questions. A member from a local counseling service will also be in attendance to present on protective behaviors. It is suggested that children not attend due to content.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, at the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the local law enforcement agencies. Further, his/her previous criminal history places the offender in a classification level which reflects the potential to offend.

This sex offender has served the sentence imposed on him/her by the courts and has advised officials that he/she will be living in the location shown above. THIS PERSON IS NOT WANTED BY THE POLICE AT THIS TIME. THIS NOTIFICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE FEAR; RATHER, IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT AN INFORMED PUBLIC IS A SAFER PUBLIC.

The offender was convicted in 2000 of SECOND DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD. The victim was a 13 year old male acquaintance. He was also convicted of INDECENT CONDUCT in 1991 and CAUSING MENTAL HARM TO A CHILD in 1994 (victim was a 13 year old male not known to him).

SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS/REQUIREMENTS:1.) COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF DIVISION OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS AND SUPERVISED RELEASE RULES2.) COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF LIFETIME SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION3.) COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF LIFETIME GPS MONITORING

The Experimental Aircraft Association opened its Education Center, originally known as Project 21, with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, July 12. The museum addition is a two-story, 30,000 square foot facility to further develop aviation education and training.

“The education center was built to enhance aviation education for kids and pilots unlike any other facility.” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA’s CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Part of EAA’s mission is to grow aviation participation by promoting the spirit of aviation and I think we are doing just that with the educational and technological advancements that we now have available in this new facility. Thank you to the donors that believed in our vision and made it a reality.”

The $6.2 million project, completely funded via a capital campaign separate from EAA member dues, now features an innovative Pilot Proficiency Center, a hands-on Youth Education Center, and the EAA Conference Center. These facilities are adjacent to the museum’s current Eagle Hangar and allows individuals and groups to experience all of EAA’s resources on a year-round basis.

The Pilot Proficiency Center features a state-of-the-art skill building and training center for general aviation pilots. The 16 Redbird flight simulators, located in the Pilot Proficiency center, exhibit the greatest technology available for aviation training and education. It combines relevant safety forums with challenging simulator training sessions that address key flight safety issues. The new facility focuses on improving pilots’ overall aeronautical decision making skills.

The Youth Education Center brings aviation-centric experiences to the EAA Aviation Museum year-round. The 15,000 square-foot Youth Education Center provides youth, their parents, and their teachers access to interactive and project-based activities that inspire and nurture the next generation of aviators. The education facility has five hands-on tech labs and four modifiable classrooms. It serves as another example of EAA’s dedication to fulfilling its mission through the advancement of aviation education for youth.

Primary support of the EAA education center expansion is from the Ray Foundation, Inc., David C. Lau Estate, and an anonymous donor. Additional support came from the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust, The Brown Family, Hank Menke, Jim Gorman, Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation, Juan Rodriguez, The JEK Foundation, Inc., Global Aerospace, Henry and Louise Timken Foundation, The Ward J. and Joy A. Timken Foundation, William Knighton, Richard VanGrunsven, JT Grainger, Emily Sensenbrenner, John Lee, and Kathleen Lowrance.Learn more about EAA’s Education Center.

Statement from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office:

This is an update on the Fox River boat crash that occurred on 07/09/2022. As has been previouslyreleased, a commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise paddleboat with 43 passengers and crewsustained severe damage to the port side when it was struck by a private 45-foot powerboatcarrying seven total occupants. The paddleboat made it safely to the south shore of the Fox Riverand the occupants were able to disembark from the vessel. Several people on board thepaddleboat sustained some form of injury.

The 45-foot powerboat fled the scene after the collision, making no attempt to render any aid tothe paddleboat or its occupants. Several agencies assisted in searching boat landings and nearbyprivate residences to locate the powerboat, it’s owner, and the additional occupants well intothe night, to no avail.

Today, the owner and operator of the powerboat identified as Jason Lindemann (age 52) of Oshkosh, was arrested for 12 counts of Recklessly Endangering Safety 2nd Degree (Class G Felony) and 11 counts of Failure to Render Aid after a Boating Accident (Misdemeanor).

This investigation was certainly hindered and needlessly prolonged by the fact the powerboatfled the scene and made no attempts to report their involvement the night of the crash, or in thehours that followed.

The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the outpouring of tips and leads the community provided as weinvestigated this incident. While an arrest has been made, this remains an active investigation,and we are still looking to identify two occupants of the powerboat.

Anyone with additional information should contact us at 920-236-7316.

A section of the Oshkosh Riverwalk at Lakeshore Park will be closed to the public from July 18, 2022, until further notice. This is due to the need to keep trail users safe during a phase of construction of the Lakeshore Park Four Seasons Building. We will provide updates on the length of the closure pending the construction timeline.

This Riverwalk section runs along the north side of Lakeshore Park adjacent to Lake Butte des Morts. The Riverwalk closure will begin at the trail entrance at the end of Punhoqua Street, and extend to the connection to the Tribal Heritage Trail. There will be trail notifications of the closure posted on the Tribal Heritage Trail and at Rainbow Memorial Park. For questions regarding this temporary closure, please contact the Oshkosh Parks Department at (920) 236-5080.

This is an update to the boat crash investigation press release issued yesterday.

As of noon on July 11 th , 2022, we have made contact with the suspected owner/operator of the powerboat, as well as two of the occupants of the powerboat. We are still looking to identify and speak to the remaining four occupants of the powerboat.

This is an active ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Supervisor desk phone at 920-236-7316.

On July 9, 2022 at 9:58 pm the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office emergency dispatch center receivednotification that a two-story party boat and a powerboat had collided on the Fox River in the city of Oshkosh.

The collision occurred between the Oregon Street bridge and the Wisconsin Street bridge.

A commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise paddleboat with 43 passengers and crew sustained severedamage to the port side when it was struck by what is believed to be a private 45-foot powerboat.The paddleboat made it safely to the south shore of the Fox River and the occupants were able tosafely disembark from the vessel. As a result of the collision, one person was transported from the scene by Oshkosh Fire Department Ambulance. That individual had non-life-threatening injuries. Six other people were treated and released at the scene.

The 45-foot powerboat fled the scene after the collision. Witness and surveillance video indicate thatthe striking boat was occupied by seven individuals. Based on information obtained it is believed that allparties involved in this incident were able to reach shore safely.

Firefighters and Paramedics from the Oshkosh Fire Department, Police Officers from the City ofOshkosh Police Department and Deputies from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office responded to theoriginal crash scene.

On July 10th , 2022, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies located the 45 foot powerboat striking vessel,that left the scene of this crash. At this time, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is still attempting to locate and speak with the owner/operator and occupants of the private 45-foot powerboat striking vessel.

This is an active ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouragedto call the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Supervisor desk phone at 920-236-7316.

ORIGINAL STATEMENT:

On July 9, 2022 at 2158 hrs. the Winnebago County Sheriff’s office emergency dispatch center received notification that a two-story party boat and a powerboat had collided on the Fox River in the city of Oshkosh. The collision occurred between the Oregon Street bridge and the Wisconsin Street bridge.

Firefighters and Paramedics from the Oshkosh Fire Department, Police Officers from the City of Oshkosh Police Department and Deputies from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

A commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise paddleboat with 43 passengers and crew sustained severe damage to the port side when it was struck by what is believed to be a private 45-foot powerboat.

The paddleboat made it safely to the south shore of the Fox River and the occupants were able to safely disembark from the vessel. As a result of the collision, one person was transported from the scene by Oshkosh Fire Department Ambulance. That individual had multiple non-life-threatening injuries. Six people were treated and released at the scene.

The 45-foot powerboat fled the scene after the collision. Witnesses and surveillance video indicate that the boat was occupied by seven individuals before and after the crash, based upon this, it is not believed that anyone in that boat ended up in the river.

As of 3:00 AM on 07/10/2022, the striking boat and the operator have not been located.

Deputies continue to investigate this incident.

The Oshkosh Riverwalk section, located on the north side of the Fox River from Jackson Street to the west access point at Marion Road, will be closed to public use on the following dates due to construction activities at the nearby Mackson Corner development:

· Monday, July 11th through Friday, July 15th (7:00 am to 4:00 pm)

· Monday, July 18th through Friday, July 22nd (7:00 am to 4:00 pm)

· Monday, July 25th through Friday, July 29th (7:00 am to 4:00 pm)

The public may use the Marion Road and Jackson Street sidewalks in lieu of the Riverwalk during the temporary closure. This closure was originally scheduled in June, but work was rescheduled to this new time frame. For more information, please contact the Oshkosh Community Development Department at (920) 236-5055.

Military demonstration teams, jetliners, and unique aircraft of all types will be part of the weeklong aerial display lineup at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 25-31. The 69th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention will be held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

“This year at Oshkosh is unique with the number of special aerial events, ranging from military demo teams to displays from airliners and anniversary formations from homebuilt aircraft,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming. “Every day at AirVenture has features during the afternoon air shows that make the week unforgettable, along with the unexpected surprises that create only-at-Oshkosh moments.”

Among this year’s scheduled aerial demonstrations are:

Military participation

· U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey demo team (July 30-31)

· U.S. Air Force C-17 aerial demo (July 28, 30 and 31)

· U.S. Air Force U-2 profile (July 27)

· U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (July 25)

· U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight with F-35 and vintage warbirds (July 26-28, 30-31)

· U.S. Navy Legacy Flight with E/A-18G Growler and/or F-35C plus vintage warbirds (July 27-31)

· U.S. Navy E-2D Hawkeye demo (July 29, 31)

Other aerial demonstrations

· Delta Airlines A330-900 (July 26)

· United Airlines Boeing 777 demo (July 26)

· Flight of the Grumman ‘Cats (July 27, 29)

· Van’s RV 50th anniversary formations (July 25)

· Airbus Perlan II and Grob Egrett (July 26)

· Ampaire Electric EEL and Lift Aviation Hexa (July 26)

Additional demonstrations are expected to be added as well. EAA AirVenture afternoon air shows begin at approximately 2:30 p.m. July 25-30 and 1 p.m. on July 31. Night air shows on July 27 and 30 begin at approximately 8 p.m.

The Oshkosh Fire and Police Departments would like to remind you to play it safe with fireworks this Independence Day. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) there has been a 25% increase in firework related injuries over the past 15 years.

Again according to the CPSC, last year alone there were 11,500 emergency room-treated injuries and nine deaths involving fireworks in the U.S. Most of the deaths were due to firework misuse. Young adults, age 20-24 were had the highest rate of injury.

Besides injuries, fireworks were responsible for over 19,000 fires in 2018 according to the most recent information from the Nation Fire Protection Association (NFPA). To avoid becoming one of these statistics only go to a public display put on by experts and avoid using fireworks at home. However, if you must use fireworks at home please keep these safety tips in mind:

 Only use legal fireworks. In Wisconsin any firework that leaves the ground or explodes is illegal (i.e. firecrackers and bottle rockets). Please note: the “permits” that can be purchased at some local firework stands are not valid in the City of Oshkosh. No one is allowed to use illegal fireworks. In Oshkosh the finefor doing so is $232.

 Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of a fire or other mishap. Place spent fireworks in the bucket of water or completely douse them with the hose before disposing to prevent trash fires.

 Adults should always supervise fireworks activities.

 Never allow young children to light them.

 Sparklers, while usually thought of as a child’s firework, can be extremely dangerous. Parents need to realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children. In fact, last year there were 1,100 injuries caused by sparklers that were serious enough to require a trip to emergency departments. They burn at over 2,000 degrees–hot enough to melt some metals–and stay hot long after they’re done sparking.

 Never light any fireworks inside of a building.

 Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.

 Never point or throw fireworks at another person or up in the air.

 Never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned. Douse them with water and dispose of them properly.

 Also, please remember to be considerate to the other people in your neighborhood. Stop your home firework shows at 10:30 at the latest.

For more information or if you have any questions please visit cpsc.gov/fireworks or callus at 236-5249.

The Oshkosh Police Department will be hosting their Annual Mental Health and Wellness Awareness 5K on September 10, 2022 at Menominee Park located in the City of Oshkosh.

This 5K fun run/walk will begin at 9:00 AM at Menominee Park (520 Pratt Trail) on September 10, 2022. The theme of the run this year is “Run With Magic.” Behavioral Health Officer Sopata and K9 Magic, OPD’s therapy dog, will be at the 5K event.

By participating in this event, members of the community help raise money for OPD’s Mental Health and Wellness Initiative. This wellness committee was formed in 2018 and its mission is to help combat the stigma associated with Law Enforcement Officers and mental health. The goals of this initiative are to offer officers, non-sworn staff and law enforcement families support, education, training and awareness in mental health and resiliency.

With the funds raised from this 5K, the Oshkosh Police Department plans on using the proceeds for education/training on physical/mental/emotional health, Law Enforcement resiliency training, and for speakers related to mental health and wellness.

To sign up for the run please visit:https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Oshkosh/OPDmentalhealthawareness5k

Make sure to sign up by August 5th. Please contact Tori Heidemann at [email protected] or (920) 236-5729 to speak with her about donations/sponsorship.

Thank you for continued support for our Mental Health and Wellness Initiatives.

If you’ve taken a drive down Main Street in Oshkosh, you know there are some buildings and storefronts that are hidden gems just waiting for some tender loving care. That’s what happened on one particular corner of N Main Street this year after volunteers joined forces with a local property owner to revitalize his prominent corner storefront building with their own humble resources and time.

Jeffery Verner’s 19th century-era North Main Street property had seen better times. After being in his family for generations, the downtown Oshkosh building and storefront’s original facade grew dim in the 2020s, but still showed so much promise. That’s what Alexa Naudziunas saw each time she traveled the main downtown thoroughfare: promise. Naudziunas, who runs ArtsOshkosh, a local volunteer organization that focuses on transformative, but simple urban revitalization, just had to find a way to contact the building’s owner and ask if there was something she could do to help.

After reaching the owner, Naudziunas and ArtsOshkosh pitched the idea of utilizing the building’s vintage u-shaped glass window boxes to install an artful display. The pair soon came to an agreement that ArtsOshkosh could also scrape, prime, and paint the lower exterior of the building to help further promote downtown Oshkosh and add color to an otherwise run-of-the-mill intersection in need of a facelift.

“I know that a well-maintained space is associated with greater respect and care by the people around it. I found a way to help without being asked, I just decided to take action,” Naudziunas said when asked about her motivation for the project.

Over the course of 8 months, Alexa and her purely-volunteer team of Oshkosh residents Juliana Kahrs, Mackenzie Huber, and Winnebago County Democratic Party volunteer Patrick Kerrigan have transformed the corner and the building’s storefront with a rainbow-hued

installation on both sides of the glass cased windows to inspire a hopeful future.

They’ve also hand carved a hanging sign that reads: OSHKOSH. The newly painted lower exterior went from a worn yellow to a modern, deep blue color. Additionally, a brand new retractable awning will be installed in August which will replace a previous model that had been in place for decades. Naudziunas secured funding for the awning under the Beautification Grant Program administered by the Oshkosh Business Improvement District.

The volunteers contributed their own time and funding to transform the space for fun and, also, something deeper: “Anyone can make a positive difference in their community. It’s up to us to find the big and small ways we can contribute,” said Juliana Kahrs, a resident of

Oshkosh for nearly 8 years.

Lead volunteer and project visionary Alexa Naudziunas adds that the project gave her a fun new hobby as well, and the reward of helping someone else reach a goal they didn’t know they had — that community members can make a difference, learn from one another, and gain the wisdom of the history of Oshkosh.

“Working collaboratively with this volunteer team has been a great experience. Caring for our neighbors and community spaces creates a shared sense of community pride” Kahrs said. The group also launched a grass-roots fundraiser on the ArtsOshkosh instagram, raising $300 to cover the costs of supplies all funded by local Oshkosh residents and others who wanted to support the cause.

“We were thrilled to receive dozens of donations through our social media promotion,” Naudziunas said. The donations came in small numbers, but added up to mean a great deal to the group. “It was encouraging to know that community members were willing to support the project. Even $5 or 10 dollars helped us to purchase the necessary supplies to complete this project, such as spray paint and poster boards,” Naudziunas said.

From this experience, the power of volunteership, pride for community, and togetherness have all risen to the top just in time for summer. The downtown Oshkosh Farmers Market is open every Saturday on Main Street through the end of summer, and thousands of weekly visitors can now enjoy this prominent corner storefront in all of its Oshkosh pride and positivity-inspiring colors.

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.Fri., July 1Wonderlab: Desert Biomes, 10:30 a.m., ages 5 – 9Teen Book Club, 1 p.m., grades 6-12Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9-12Mon., July 4Library Closed for Independence DayBook Buzz: Book Lovers, 8 a.m., YouTubeTues., July 5Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., July 6High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesThurs., July 7High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsMon., July 11Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolersTues., July 12Teen DIY Drop-In: Perler Beads, 1 – 3 p.m., grades 6 – 12Adult DIY: Marbled Paper Bookmark, 6 p.m., adultsStories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., July 13High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsMemory Café: Underwater Adventure, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesThurs., July 14High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsWonderlab: Squishy Circuit Sea Creature, 6:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9Fri., July 15Librarian Learns: Little Oshkosh, 9 a.m., YouTubeWonderlab: Squishy Circuit Sea Creature, 10:30 a.m., ages 5 – 9Mon., July 18Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolersTues., July 19Drop by and Read, 10:30 a.m., library front steps (Washington Avenue), all agesWinnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adultsStories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., July 20Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1-4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsLifeskills for Teens: Vehicle Maintenance Basics, 2 p.m., grades 6-12LEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesThurs., July 21High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsNot Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adultsMon., July 25Family Storytime, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., preschoolersTues., July 26Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and youngerWed., July 27High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adultsLEGO Wall Open Build, 4 – 7 p.m., kids of all agesThurs., July 28High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adultsWonderlab: Ocean Zone Jars, 6:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9Fri., July 29Wonderlab: Ocean Zone Jars, 10:30 a.m., ages 5 – 9Teen DIY: Acrylic Paint Along, 2 p.m., grades 6-9Sun., July 31Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 2 p.m., Time Community Theater (free showingsponsored by the library)

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Kathryn Noble is being recommended to serve as the next principal of Washington Elementary. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the July 13 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending Board approval, this appointment will begin on July 14.Kathryn Noble has served the Washington Elementary School community since 2015 as a Grade 1 teacher. She has an extensive understanding of best practices in instruction and assessment, including mastery of the curriculum and standards in place in the Oshkosh Area School District. Kathryn’s student-centered approach to classroom learning prioritizes high expectations for all and creates a culture of innovation. Additionally, Kathryn’s love of the Washington community is evident in all that she does to support her students, families, and colleagues. She is a skilled relationship builder and is passionate about partnering with families to ensure success for all students.Kathryn received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Marian University and will obtain a Master of Science in Education – Education Administration from the University of Wisconsin Superior in May 2023.About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Emily Eisenschink is being recommended to serve as the next principal of Read Elementary. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the July 13 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending Board approval, this appointment will begin on July 14.

Emily Eisenschink is currently the Dean of Students at Sandhill Elementary School in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Prior teaching experience includes serving as a cross-categorical special education teacher, elementary special education teacher, and middle and high school intervention specialist for schools in Waterloo, Sun Prairie, and Kenosha, as well as serving as an assistant director of personnel for A Step Ahead Day Camp in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Emily is skilled in building positive relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners. Her extensive background in developing and implementing behavior support plans has resulted in success for students and entire school communities. Emily is committed to putting students first and has a passion for igniting a love of learning. Additionally, Emily understands the importance of supporting and developing staff members and creating a culture of collaboration so that all students can succeed.

Emily received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Elementary Education and Cross-Categorical Special Education from Carthage College. She received a Masters in Business Administration – Educational Leadership and Wisconsin Principal Certification from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the City’s observance of Independence Day, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Monday, July 4, 2022.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, July 8 moves to Saturday, July 9. Regular services will resume on Monday, July 11.

Additionally, the City’s yard waste drop off site located on W. 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) will be open on Saturday, July 2, and Sunday, July 3. The drop off site will be closed for the holiday on Monday, July 4. The drop off site will reopen on Tuesday, July 5.

Residential curbside brush collection for July will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the week of July 11 thru July 15.

If you would like more information please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

On June 21, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that children aged 6 months and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The announcement follows the authorization and recommendation by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for use of the Pfizer vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age and the Moderna vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 4 years of age requires three total doses. The first two doses of the vaccine are given three weeks apart, followed by a third dose at least two months later. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months through 5 years of age requires two doses, 28 days apart.

“For many families, the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 4 years is welcome news,” stated Dr. Sarah Campbell, Pediatrician, Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin, and President, Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Families’ work schedules have been altered with recurrent closures and quarantines from daycare, leading to loss time at work and added childcare costs. There also have been concerns that unvaccinated children could spread the virus to a high-risk family member. Although COVID-19 infections have affected children to a lesser degree, many children have been hospitalized and sadly some children have died from it. Vaccinations are a powerful tool to help protect children, families and our communities from severe illness, hospitalization and death. The most effective way we can protect ourselves and each other right now is by getting vaccinated and boosted and encouraging our friends and family to do so as well.”

The Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations to this newest eligible group this week. If you are looking for a COVID-19 vaccine, consider the following opportunities:

Find a complete list of local COVID-19 vaccine clinics at www.wcvaccine.org or call 920-232-3026.

“Starting your vaccination series and staying up to date on your vaccines is the best thing you can do to keep yourself and the community around you safe from severe illness due to COVID-19,” stated said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department director/health officer. “The Winnebago County Health Department also continues to encourage folks to get tested when they have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus. Testing locations can be found at winnebagopublichealth.org.”

For questions, please call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026 or visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a physical disturbance involving several individuals which took place inside of a residence located near W 10th Avenue and S Main Street in the City of Oshkosh.

Earlier today at approximately 12:14 AM, Officers received information that a physical disturbance took place involving a gun and that a female was injured.

Upon arrival, Officers discovered that a female at that location had been physically assaulted and was struck in the head with a gun. This female was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries. No one else was injured during this disturbance and initial investigation indicates that this was a targeted incident.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time.

Richard G. Frohling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on June 22, 2022, a federal grand jury indicted Whittier P. Ives (age: 53) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for unlawfully possessing a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1), 922(g)(4), and 924(a)(2).

According to the indictment, Ives is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a court-ordered mental health commitment issued by a Winnebago County judge in April of 2022 and due to prior felony convictions in the State of California. According to court documents, on June 4, 2022, an individual contacted the Omro Police Department and reported that Ives was loading ammunition, magazines, and a long gun into his vehicle. Ives showed the individual a picture of a person on his phone and stated that he was “going to kill him, along with another person and a bunch of other people.” Ives stated he knew these individuals were, at that time, in a “club in Appleton.” Ives further stated that he “had nothing to live for” and “will be the next mass shooter.”

After receiving the tip, Omro law enforcement officers observed a vehicle matching the description of Ives’ vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated, and a search of the vehicle uncovered boxes of ammunition and numerous magazines. In addition, officers recovered a Shield Arms multicaliber SA-15 semi-automatic rifle.

If convicted of possessing the firearm, Ives faces up to ten years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Omro Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Green Bay Resident Agency. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The current daily EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 air show schedule is now available on EAA’s website. Some of the world’s top air show performers have made commitments to fly at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 – the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration – as part of the afternoon and night air shows.

Those performers include aerobatic champions and longtime Oshkosh favorites for the 69th Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, scheduled for July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport. In addition, there will be military aerial demonstrations for the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. AirVenture features nine air shows over seven days, including night airshows on July 27 and 30.

The daily afternoon air shows are presented by Daher and Pratt & Whitney, while the Wednesday, July 27, night air show and fireworks are presented by Covington Aircraft and Saturday, July 30, night air show and fireworks are presented by WACO Aircraft Corporation.

The full airshow schedule is available at EAA.org/­­­­­­­­AirVenture.

The performers and demonstrations of each days air show continually evolves until AirVenture week and the current scheduled highlights include:

Monday, July 25 – Van’s 50th Anniversary/AF Special Operations Command Day: Van’s 50th Anniversary (50 various RV’s); War Bird Arrival show

Tuesday, July 26 – Innovations/Air Education and Training Command Day: Innovations – Gamebird 1; Innovations Airbus (Perlan II); Innovations – Lift Aircraft (Hexa)

Wednesday, July 27 – WomenVenture/Air Combat Command Day: Patty Wagstaff (Extra 300LX); Vicky Benzing (Stearman); Jessy Panzer (Pitts); Flight of the Cats (various cats)

Thursday, July 28 – Air Mobility Command/Young Eagles Day: Young Eagles flight celebration; USAF C-17 Demo Team (C-17); USAF Heritage Flight (F-35A, P-51)

Friday, July 29 – Salute to Veterans Day/AF Global Strike Command: Flight of the Cats (various cats); USN E-2D Hawkeye Demo Team (E-2D Hawkeye); Doc (B-29); American Airlines/Old Glory Honor Flight Arrival (A321Flagship Valor)

Saturday, July 30 – USAF 75th Anniversary: USAF C-17 Demo Team (C-17); USAF Heritage Flight (F-35A, P-51)

Sunday, July 31 – The Big Finish: USAF C-17 Demo Team (C-17); USN E-2D Hawkeye Demo Team (E-2D Hawkeye); USMC MV-22 Demo Team (MV-22 Osprey); USAF Heritage Flight (F-35A, P-51); USN Legacy Flight (F-35C, EA-18G, Corsair)

This schedule is subject to change and additional performers will be added prior to AirVenture.

Prang, the maker of high-quality student art materials for more than 100 years, announced the launch of the Prang Art Teacher of the Year program. This national program will annually recognize 10 art teachers that have made significant contributions in the lives of their students by advancing art education andinspiring self-expression.

“We know art teachers are the unsung heroes of every school in the country,” said Steve Boyea, EVP Sales and Marketing for Dixon Ticonderoga Company, the makers of Prang. “ This program will shine a light on art teachers everywhere and the lasting impression they make on their students.”

Nominations will be accepted on the Prang website from any interested parties for art teachers they feel have made a significant impact on their lives or lives of their students. Nominations are welcome from other teachers, administrators, parents, students and community members. The deadline for nominations is July 31, 2022.

Teachers selected as Prang Art Teacher of the Year will be honored at a virtual event in September 2022.

Each of the 10 recipients will receive a year’s supply of Prang and Dixon Ticonderoga products for their art rooms. That’s enough art supplies for 5,000 students with a retail value of more than $50,000.

A highly esteemed selection committee will decide which teachers will be recognized from all submissions. The committee is a diverse group including an art teacher, artist, industry executives and two thought leaders in art education:

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) announces scope, schedule and repair plans for the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge in the city of Oshkosh, Winnebago County. The bridge is currently closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic after a bridge inspector discovered wear on gear components on the south leaf span. The gears are critical to raise and lower the bridge.

At a news conference on Thursday, June 16, 2022 WisDOT Bureau of Structures (BOS), which oversees bridge maintenance and operation on state highways, said there is no structural damage to the Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge beyond worn gear teeth. These new gears must be manufactured and installed before the bridge can be put back into full use.

Oregon/Jackson Street bridge repair plan, schedule and cost

WisDOT worked with the gear manufacturer Regal/Rexnord and movable bridge engineering consultants Hardesty & Hanover to develop the plan for repair. Regal/Rexnord is assisting WisDOT with repairs.

A WisDOT bridge inspector conducting a routine annual inspection on May 25 noticed a faint, unusual vibration during lifting operations. The inspector identified the gear teeth wear after searching for the cause of the vibration. BOS Supervisor Tom Hardinger, P.E., said inspections are a crucial part of maintaining key infrastructure and ensuring safety.

“The issue discovered on the Oregon/Jackson Street bridge was simply a result of WisDOT’s due diligence inspecting all of our more than 5,000 state-owned bridges,” Said Hardinger. “Bridge inspections allow engineers to identify small defects and potential problem areas in bridges before they develop into major issues.”

Gears for lift bridges typically outlast the life of the bridge. The cause for the worn gear teeth is not yet determined. The components are under forensic analysis with the manufacture to deduce the exact cause. WisDOT investigated gear components on similar bridges and found no issues with gear wear.

The city distributed this update from the state Department of Transportation:

Due to worn out gears (pictured) that make the operation of the bridge unsafe, the bridge has been closed to vehicle & pedestrian traffic. The gears are being custom manufactured, and will be installed when available. Manufacturing time will take approximately 8 weeks, and they will be installed thereafter. Estimated total of 9 weeks for repair. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

The library has a limited supply of free Nestlé NAN Pro 1 Powder Infant Formula with Iron (28.2 oz). It is available on a first come, first serve basis at the First Floor Service Desk. Call (920) 236-5203 for more information

The UAS4STEM competition for high school students is back for the second year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. The Academy of Model Aeronautics event is for groups of students, ages from 11-17, who build an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and compete against other teams to complete a specific mission through different obstacles.

“The competition allows kids to have the opportunity to create innovative technology while also developing valuable life lessons within the workforce,” said Kyle Jaracz, AMA’s Education Director. “It is always exciting to see what the kids envision and how they work as a team to develop and compete with an unmanned aircraft system.”

Teams that are competing at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 include:

· Creekview Aeronautics Team (Canton, GA)

· Redstone Composite Squadron (Huntsville, AL)

· The Flying Nuggets (Decatur, GA)

· Ryken Flying Knights (Leonardtown, MD)

· McIntosh Aeronautics (Peachtree City, GA)

· Sato Drone Team Quad-dragons (Long Beach, CA)

· Midtown Drone Team (Atlanta, GA)

· Some Assembly Required (Mt. Airy, MD)

The competition will take place on July 28-29 near the southwest corner of Camp Scholler. The top teams from the national level will be recognized during Friday’s afternoon air show. Teams in first, second and third place will receive Skydio products and scholarship awards funded by the AMA Foundation and Skydio.

The first national competition held at EAA AirVenture 2021 concluded with the champion: Some Assembly Required of Rockville, Maryland, second place: McIntosh Aeronautics of Peachtree City, Georgia, and third place: Creekview High School Aeronautics of Canton, Georgia.

UAS4STEM is a competition that allows kids to see different career opportunities in the UAS and aviation industries. UAS4STEM is a program of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. For additional information visit uas4stem.org

The Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) has announced that it is seeking a new Chief Executive Officer as our current CEO/President, Mary Ann L. Dilling, has accepted a new opportunity outside of the organization.

We would like to thank Mary Ann for all her hard work and dedication to this important organization over the past four years. Mary Ann has done an excellent job of fundraising and under her watch, the OAUW was able to expand the number of relief programs we have funded to assist individuals and families who are in need. The United Way helps ensure some of our most vulnerable citizens do not fall through the cracks.

While we are happy for Mary Ann and her family as she moves on to her new role, the staff and Board of Directors have been busy since her announcement embracing the opportunity to continue the fantastic energy Mary Ann has brought to the OAUW by launching the search for our next leader.

“We will keep the momentum Mary Ann has built,” said Amy Sitter, OAUW Board Chair. “The Board ofDirectors is committed to finding a driven, innovative, and community-focused CEO to lead and expandthe reach of the organization to be an even bigger change agent for Oshkosh and the surroundingcommunity going forward.”

Please join us in wishing Mary Ann all the best in her new position. The OAUW Board of Directors willannounce in the coming weeks whom we have selected to lead our fantastic team and drive our coremission of being the agent of change for our community.

Those interested in applying for the position are asked by the organization to submit a resume by emailing [email protected].

The full job description, as well as further information on the Oshkosh Area United Way, can be found atoshkoshunitedway.org/careers.

The Experimental Aircraft Association offers a Runway 5K run/walk during AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 on Saturday, July 30. The race begins at 7 a.m. at the Ultralight Barn and is open to everyone, including walkers, first-time runners, and seasoned athletes.

The 5K route is a tour through the AirVenture grounds. Attendees can expect to see aircraft from all over the world and much of AirVenture’s unique atmosphere.

“The Runway 5K race is one of my favorite events at AirVenture because of the participants and their excitement to be here,” said Jacqui Gunn, EAA’s coordinator for this event. “I don’t think anywhere else in Wisconsin provides a 5K experience like this where the route takes you directly through the grounds of an aviation celebration and gets you up close with different aircraft.”

Attendees do not need AirVenture admission to participate in the race and do have the opportunity to purchase discounted July 30 admission tickets. Free parking is available in the Z lot, near the ultralight barn, the morning of the race.

Standard registration is open June 11- July 29. Individuals may also register the day of the race, July 30. The registration includes an official event T-shirt, post-race food, refreshments, and access to shower facilities.

The Runway 5K is presented by Covington Aircraft with additional support from Oshkosh Corporation, 4imprint, 103.9 WVBO and 96.9 The Fox. Proceeds from this year’s run benefit the EAA Aviation Foundation Women Soar Society and its efforts to support opportunities in aviation for women of all ages.

This is a statement from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.

On 06/14/2022 around 1:18pm, the Winnebago County 911 Comm Center was notified of traffic crash on US 45 NB just north of STH 116. Several Winnebago County Highway Department employees were working along US 45 NB in a marked construction zone that had been reduced to one lane of travel for the ongoing highway work. Traffic traveling in the open left travel lane was slowing for the active construction work.

A flatbed semi tractor-trailer was traveling in the left lane of US 45 NB behind a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, which also traveling in the left lane. The semi-tractor trailer collided with the Chevrolet Silverado in a rear end fashion. The impact pushed the Chevrolet Silverado into the active construction work zone area, where the Chevrolet Silverado then collided with a Winnebago County Highway Department employee actively working in the marked construction zone.

The Winnebago County Highway Department employee had serious injuries and was transported via ThedaStar Air Medical. The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado had minor injuries. The driver of the semi-tractor had no injuries. This crash closed US 45 NB for the investigation and traffic was diverted to STH 116, which created an area of heavy traffic congestion.

A secondary crash then occurred on 06/14/2022 around 2:04pm, on STH 116 at the US 45 NB off ramp area. A Chevrolet Blazer was exiting US 45 NB and a Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling eastbound on STH 116, wherein a collision occurred within the intersection.

The driver of the motorcycle was transported with serious injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet Blazer had no injuries. Both of these incidents remain under investigation. Expect continued road closures and traffic delays in this area while the investigations occur.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at these scenes by the Winneconne Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Winneconne Poygan Fire Department and First Responders, Town of Oshkosh Fire Department, City of Oshkosh Fire Department EMS, Town of Vinland Fire Department, ThedaStar AirMedical, Winnebago County Highway Department, and passers-by.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and co-workers of everyone involved.No further information will be released at this time.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is debuting a food truck focused on hands-on learning for students of all abilities – the first of its kind in the nation! Named Brewing Futures Mobile CAFE (Coaching Ability For Employment), the customized and fully accessible food truck will soon make its way to community events and businesses and will be operated by OASD students receiving special education services. This unique mobile classroom will not only provide students with special needs real-life working opportunities, but it will allow them to engage with their community in a meaningful way and showcase their employability skills.

“We are so excited to bring this one-of-a-kind learning experience to our students and community,” said Linda Pierron, Oshkosh Area School District Director of Special Education. “The goal of our program is to teach our students employment and “soft skills” and ultimately demonstrate to the community what great employees they can become! Unfortunately, preconceptions are often the major barrier to employment for people with disabilities. This food truck is one way we can show our community that our students are incredible and can be an incredible asset to any business.”

The idea behind Brewing Futures Mobile CAFE came from the District’s successful high school cafes – the Wildcat Cafe at Oshkosh West and the Spartan Snack Shack at Oshkosh North. These in-school cafes provide on-the-job training for over 50 students per year in various skills such as customer service, communication, order preparation, team building, cashiering, money handling, stocking, phone orders, and delivery to customers. Based on the in-school cafe success, and with the aid of a federal grant, the District purchased the mobile cafe – a customized and fully accessible food truck – with the goal of creating a continuum of service from the cafes to the community. The food truck will take student learning and community engagement to the next level ensuring that all students are equipped for their futures beyond high school. Additionally, in an effort to expand its outreach programs, the District intends to use the food truck to enhance its long-standing partnerships with various organizations including Ascension Mercy Hospital, the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Winnebago County, ADVOCAP, and more.

“We know that being employed and having a sense of accountability and responsibility is positively life-changing. This exciting project demonstrates our commitment and investment in connecting our students with special needs to their community, securing jobs, and being gainfully employed,” said Pierron.

The Brewing Futures Mobile CAFE arrived in the Oshkosh Area School District this week and District staff are in the process of installing equipment and completing inspections. Once finished, the truck will be debuted this summer at a variety of community events and local businesses. The menu will be flexible based on the event and will consist primarily of beverages, including coffee drinks prepared with equipment on the truck, and prepackaged and prepared food items, including, but not limited to bagels, muffins, and fruit cups. As part of the learning experience, students will be responsible for creating a business plan and budget for each event with the assistance of peers and transition team teachers.

A community ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place in the coming weeks, additional details to follow. To learn more visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/special-education/brewing-futures-mobile-cafe.

Oshkosh Public Library, in partnership with the Winnebago County Health Department, is offering free, at-home COVID-19 test kits to the public.

To protect the health of staff and patrons, test kits are only available via curbside pickup.

When picking up a test kit, please park in the designated pickup location in front of the main entrance (marked with a sign) and call 920-236-5203 during business hours. A staff member will bring out the kits and place them in the vehicle.

Tests are limited to one per individual on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Please do not come into the library to request kits.

For those who would prefer to schedule an appointment for pickup, please visit calendly.com/oshkoshpubliclibrary to schedule online or call 920-236-5203.

As a community-driven library and trusted partner, Oshkosh Public Library is pleased to supportthe health department’s efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The names of the following candidates are for the offices listed and are to be voted for at the Primary Election on August 9, 2022, as determined by law.

GOVERNOR: Tony Evers, DemocraticKevin Nicholson, RepublicanRebecca Kleefisch, RepublicanTimothy Ramthun, RepublicanAdam J. Fischer, RepublicanTim Michels, RepublicanLIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Peng Her, DemocraticSara Rodriguez, DemocraticPatrick Testin, RepublicanWill Martin, RepublicanKyle Yudes, RepublicanRoger Roth, RepublicanDavid C. Varnam, RepublicanCindy Werner, RepublicanDavid D. King, RepublicanJonathan Wichmann, RepublicanATTORNEY GENERAL: Josh Kaul, DemocraticEric Toney, RepublicanKaren Mueller, RepublicanAdam Jarchow, RepublicanSECRETARY OF STATE: Doug La Follette, DemocraticAlexia Sabor, DemocraticAmy Lynn Loudenbeck, RepublicanJay Schroeder, RepublicanJustin D. Schmidtka, Republican

Neil Harmon, LibertarianSTATE TREASURER: Aaron Richardson, DemocraticAngelito Tenorio, DemocraticGillian M. Battino, DemocraticJohn S. Leiber, RepublicanOrlando Owens, RepublicanAndrew Zuelke, ConstitutionUNITED STATES SENATOR: Mandela Barnes, DemocraticAlex Lasry, DemocraticKou C. Lee, DemocraticSarah Godlewski, DemocraticPeter Peckarsky, DemocraticSteven Olikara, DemocraticDarrell Williams, DemocraticTom Nelson, DemocraticRon Johnson, RepublicanDavid Schroeder, RepublicanREPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, DIST. 6: Douglas H. Mullenix, RepublicanGlenn Grothman, RepublicanREPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, DIST. 8: Shaun Clarmont, RepublicanMike Gallagher, RepublicanJacob J. VandenPlas, LiberterianSTATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 19: Kristin M Alfheim, DemocraticRachael Cabral-Guevara, RepublicanAndrew K. Thomsen, RepublicanRepresentative to the Assembly, District 53: Michael Schraa, RepublicanRepresentative to the Assembly, District 54: Lori Palmeri, DemocraticDonnie Herman, RepublicanRepresentative to the Assembly, District 55: Stefanie A. Holt, DemocraticNate Gustafson, RepublicanRepresentative to the Assembly, District 57: Lee Snodgrass, DemocraticAndrew Fox, RepublicanWinnebago County Sheriff: John F. Matz, RepublicanWinnebago County Clerk of Courts: Tara Berry, Republican

An Oshkosh grandfather was among 56 individuals whose pardons were announced Friday by Gov. Evers on Friday.

According to the governor’s press release, “Frank St. John was 26 when he and several friends stole auto parts from a salvage yard. Now 27 years later, he is a grandfather and resides in Oshkosh with his family. The district attorney’s office supports his pardon.”

The 56 new pardons bring his total number of pardons granted to 554. The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually on April 8 and April 22.

“The folks receiving pardons today have worked hard to be contributing members of their communities and workplaces and to make amends for their past mistakes,” said Evers. “Every pardon is an official act of forgiveness that allows these individuals to continue their important work giving back to their communities and reach their full potential.”

he Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight returns to EAA AirVenture 2022 on Friday, July 29, as a way to honor veterans during the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 69th fly-in convention at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. EAA is joining with Old Glory Honor Flight and American Airlines to coordinate this event for the first time since 2019.

Veterans from the Vietnam War will be honored as they travel to Washington D.C. to tour war memorials at no cost to them. The veterans will return to Oshkosh at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon air show and thousands of people will welcome them back home and give them the recognition they deserve.

“The Honor Flight is traditionally one of the most emotional and poignant events of AirVenture week,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming. “We are proud to produce an event that honors what Vietnam veterans did for this country and be able to provide them an experience of a lifetime.”

American Airlines is supplying their Flagship Valor Airbus A321 aircraft for the flight, which is specially painted to recognize Medal of Honor recipients. American Airlines also donates the aircraft for the flight, which is flown by an all-volunteer crew of American Airlines pilots and cabin attendants.

“We’re tremendously proud to be a part of this very special mission by providing Flagship Valor to get these heroes to Washington DC,” said Randy Stillinger, Manager of Military and Veterans Initiatives for American Airlines. “With the help of our crew members, who have volunteered to fly this mission, we will recognize the service and sacrifice of these veterans by bringing them to the monuments built in their honor. Their brave actions allow us to fly freely all around the world, so this is the least we could do for them.”

This is the eighth year that the Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight has originated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh under the auspices of Old Glory Honor Flight of Appleton, Wisconsin. That non-profit organization has organized dozens of Honor Flights since 2009 with a dedicated group of volunteers. Those flights have included special flights to Pearl Harbor and to Vietnam.

“Each Old Glory Honor Flight mission is a special occasion, but the ability to be a part of EAA AirVenture for the first time since 2019 is a major part of this year’s activities, “said Diane MacDonald, the Executive Director of Old Glory Honor Flight. “Honoring our local Vietnam veterans out of EAA AirVenture is such a highlight; being witness to the enthusiasm, respect, and appreciation from the world’s aviation enthusiasts when the flight returns to Oshkosh is such an incredible sight to see and it means the world to the men and women who get to experience it.”

Old Glory Honor Flight will be inviting veterans who are currently on their waitlist. More information about Old Glory Honor Flight or if you would like to donate to the organization.

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism released its 2021 economic impact data today, showing Wisconsin tourism generated $20.9 billion in total economic impact, with Winnebago County contributing $458 Million in total economic impact.

In 2021, Winnebago County tourism generated more than 4,000 full and part-time jobs across diverse sectors of the industry, up 6 percent over 2020.

Executive Director, Amy Albright said, “Tourism is so important and we could not be more excited to see visitor spending and economic impact rebound as we recover from the pandemic. Travel is resuming—driving economic impact and giving people the opportunity to experience everything we have to offer!”

Statewide, economic impact increased 21 percent in 2021, with all 72 counties reporting double-digit growth over 2020. Additionally, tourism supported more than 169,700 full and part-time jobs statewide across diverse sectors of the industry, up 7 percent over 2020. Wisconsin also hosted over 102.3 million visitor trips in 2021, up 12 percent from 2020.

“Wisconsin’s tourism recovery is something to be proud of. These successes are the result of intentional and strategic action by everyone who makes up our industry,” said Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary-designee, Anne Sayers. “I feel so fortunate to work alongside all of our hospitality partners every day who provide travelers with incredible opportunities to make memories while driving economic impact.”

Visitors generated $1.4 billion in state and local taxes because of tourism spending. Without this tax revenue, each Wisconsin household would need to pay $580 to maintain the current level of government services generated by tourism. For more data, including individual county figures and year over year growth, visit industry.travelwisconsin.com.

Wisconsin tourism continues to recover but has not fully recovered to Wisconsin tourism’s record-setting year of 2019, which saw $22.2 billion in total economic impact.

Today two of our firefighter/paramedics were presented with The Stork Award. This award is given to firefighters who deliver babies in other than a hospital setting.

Firefighter/Paramedics Paul Friday and Hunter Resop were today’s recipients. A few months ago these gentlemen were called to a woman in labor at home alone. They responded and delivered Elijah Sanchez on the spot. Elijah’s dad arrived just in time to cut the cord.

This morning the Sanchez family showed up at Station 15 to show their appreciation. This is just another example of the excellent service our paramedics provide to the community. We are proud to have these gentlemen on our team.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region announces activation of the Through Route Activated Warning Systems (TRAWS) at the WIS 21 and Leonard Point Road intersection in the town of Algoma, Winnebago County. The TRAWS system is an interim safety measure to reduce crashes at the intersection until construction of a roundabout. WisDOT traffic engineers activated the system on June 2.

TRAWS uses vehicle detectors to alert motorists on WIS 21 to the presence of approaching vehicles on Leonard Point Road with the activation of flashing beacons on warning signs. Installation of a TRAWS at the intersection required one eastbound and two westbound sign assemblies on WIS 21. Advanced warning systems have proved effective at reducing right angle and rear end crashes.

An upcoming state highway project on WIS 21 includes construction of a roundabout at the WIS 21/Leonard Point Road intersection. For information on the future WIS 21 Project, please visit the project design website athttps://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/Wis21/default.aspx. The website includes proposed improvements, design displays, a public presentation, traffic impacts, anticipated schedule and information for businesses in construction work zones.

The 37 year old male who was arrested in a fatal shooting incident has been formally charged by the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office. He is identified as Joshua Johnson and has been charged with First Degree Intentional Homicide and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) recently came together to celebrate the 2022 retirees, 25-year service employees, and recipients of the Friend of Education Awards. On Tuesday, May 31, the OASD Board of Education honored 36 retiring employees and 22 employees with 25-years of service at the District’s Annual Retirement and Recognition Dinner at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel. School board members recognized each retiree and shared stories of their impact and time in the District. Retirees also received a glass apple and certificate as a lasting reminder of their time with the OASD, and those honored for 25-years of service received a clock.A complete list of honorees, including reflections from retirees, is available in the OASD Board of Education 38th Annual Retirement & Recognition Program. Event photos are available in the 2022 OASD Retirement and Recognition Photo Gallery.

During the annual tradition, honorees and guests enjoyed opening remarks by Superintendent Bryan Davis, as well comments from School Board President, Bob Poeschl and School Board Vice President, Barb Herzog.“We are blessed to have exceptional people who have committed to serving students and families in order to make our community a better place,” said Superintendent Bryan Davis. “Our retirees and those honored for their years of service truly make Oshkosh a great place to learn. On behalf of the entire Oshkosh Area School District, I extend my most sincere thanks and appreciation.”In addressing the crowd, School Board President Bob Poeschl reflected on the incredible impact of OASD employees. “All of you being recognized here today represent what it takes to shape a community, what it takes shape children of our school district,” said Poeschl. “Lives are better because of you.”The District also honored recipients of this year’s Friend of Education award. The award was established to recognize individuals or corporations for their support of public schools, not only financially, but for their personal involvement as well. Longtime District supporter Jim Chitwood received the 2022 Individual Friend of Education Award. Chitwood served as a School Board member from 1989-1998. He was a founding member of the Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation, where he helped build the vision, mission, and guiding principles, along with supporting the Foundation’s main fundraising event, Trivia Night. In addition, Chitwood served on both Facility Advisory Committee (FAC) 1.0 and FAC 2.0 and helped others gain awareness of referendums. He also chaired the United Way Campaign to support students and families in the community.The 2022 Corporate Friend of Education Award was presented to the Mid-Morning Kiwanis Club of Oshkosh. The Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis is a group of local volunteers whose mission is dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis is a family of servant leaders who have raised over $100,000 to award to teachers through various educational grants at the annual Celebrate Education event. They partner with the Communities Program at Oshkosh North High School to support their various missions and causes. In addition, they hold a K-kids Club of future Kiwanians at Oaklawn Elementary and are the Partner at Learning (PAL) at Merrill Elementary School.

The Oshkosh Riverwalk section, located on the north side of the Fox River from Jackson Street to the west access point at Marion Road, will be closed to public use on the following dates due to construction activities at the nearby Mackson Corner development:

· Monday, June 6th through Friday, June 10th (7:00 am to 4:00 pm)

· Monday, June 13th through Friday, June 17th (7:00 am to 4:00 pm)

· Monday, June 20th through Friday, June 24th (7:00 am to 4:00 pm)

The public may use the Marion Road and Jackson Street sidewalks in lieu of the Riverwalk during the temporary closure. For more information, please contact the Oshkosh Community Development Department at (920) 236-5055.

The Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted unanimously at its May 27 Board meeting to appoint Rob Kleman as the new President and CEO of the organization. Kleman is currently the Oshkosh Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Economic Development. Kleman has served in various economic development roles for the Oshkosh Chamber since 1990. He will begin his new role on January 1, 2023. John Casper, current President and CEO, announced he will retire on December 31,2022.

A Transition Committee was established consisting of members of the Oshkosh Chamber Board ofDirectors to develop a process and succession plan that will lead to the selection of the new President& CEO. The QTI Group, an executive search firm, was hired to conduct a CEO search and candidateevaluation on behalf of the Board of Directors.

Oshkosh Chamber Board Chair Joan Woldt commented, “on behalf of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and its membership, we are extremely pleased with Rob’s commitmentto our community and the Chamber. This is a well-deserved promotion. Rob is a strong leader who brings extensive experience, understanding and a commitment to economic development, membership, sustainability and relationship building to this position. Please congratulate and support him as he transitions to his new role.”

“I am honored to be selected as the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce’s next President and CEO. I look forward to working with the Chamber Board of Directors, staff, our membership and volunteers, and other community partners as we advance the mission of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce,” stated Kleman.

The Oshkosh Area School District is proud to announce that Vel Phillips Middle School’s official mascot will be the Phoenix and its colors will be blue and gold.

Future Vel Phillips Middle School students, families, and staff, as well as the entire Oshkosh community, were invited to submit mascot suggestions during an initial community survey in 2021. The top recommendations were pared down and a final survey was distributed to future students and staff. After collecting 485 responses, the Phoenix was selected by an overwhelming 66% percent. Once selected, school and District leaders worked with Bray Architects to develop a comprehensive school branding package that included incorporating the mascot and colors into a new school logo.

The school’s colors, blue and gold, were selected to honor the original colors of both Merrill and Webster Stanley Middle Schools. These school communities will join together as Vel Phillips Middle School in the 2023-24 school year. In December 2021, the OASD Board of Education approved naming the new middle school after Vel Phillips, a civil rights leader, legal pioneer, and philanthropist.

“This is an exciting time for our school community,” said Principal Kristi Levy. “As we develop the identifying features of Vel Phillips Middle School we are focused on honoring our past, present, and future. The phoenix represents our ability to transform and truly be stronger together.”

The phoenix mascot and school colors are centerpieces of the school logo, which is available above and on the District’s website. The logo features an inspiring phoenix, alive with movement and character.

No Mow May, the conservation initiative that invited residents to stop mowing or mow less often during the month of May, has concluded for 2022. Over 600 properties in Oshkosh participated. Those participants who displayed yard signs indicating their participation in the program are encouraged to not dispose of their signs, but rather to keep them for next year or to return them to the Community Development Department at City Hall, 215 Church Avenue.

No Mow May enhances early season forage for native pollinators by reducing local mowing intensity during a month when foraging resources are limited. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often minimal. There are steps that residents can take after the month of May to continue to practice environmentally-friendly techniques. They can mulch grass clippings into their lawn, mow every other week, or water their lawn only when necessary. Reduce or eliminate the use of herbicides and pesticides. Plant native flowers and trees, they provide the best natural habitat for pollinators.

For residents who are mowing for the first time this season, some recommendations for a successful transition: select a day when the grass is dry and ensure the mowing blade is sharp. Use a weed whip or string trimmer for tall grass that may be difficult for a traditional mower. Reduce the height of grass incrementally rather than reducing the cut height in one session. Adjust your mower’s deck to the highest setting the first time cutting.

With the conclusion of the No Mow May program, properties are subject to regular penalties for long grasses or weeds that violate city code. For more information about No Mow May, please contact the Oshkosh Community Development Department at (920) 236-5055.

The history of gunships, the first woman to fly an F-16, a Strategic Air Command pilot for the Convair B-58 and others are among the list of additional speakers for the 2022 Aviation Adventure speaker series at the EAA Aviation museum in Oshkosh.

The monthly speaker series is open to the public, with presentations beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free for EAA members and just $5 for nonmembers.

The schedule for these additional speakers include:

Thursday, June 16 – “The History of Gunships”: Veterans John Bonner and Junior Skinner with the AC-47, Terry Sarul with the AC-119, and Ryan Wichman with the AC-130 will present their experiences with flying combat USAF airplanes from Vietnam to present day.

Thursday, August 18 – “Betty”: Sharon Preszler is the first woman to fly an F-16 and will describe her experience as a fighter pilot for the USAF. Preszler was also the first woman to instruct in the F-16. She flew combat missions in Iraq and helped create a homeland defense plan after 9/11 which is still in effect today.

Sunday, September 11 – 9/11 Hero: Heather Penney is a retired member of the 121st Fighter Squadron of the Air National Guard. She will talk about her experience on 9/11 and how she was involved by flying an F-16 fighter jet that day to help protect the Washington D.C. and the Pentagon.

Thursday, October 20 – B-58 Hustler – The Legend of Strategic Air Command: Charlie Hooker will speak about what it is like to take the Convair B-58 Hustler aloft firsthand as a SAC pilot.

Thursday, November 17 – Adventures in Hot Air Ballooning: Mike Beck will speak about how he started his aviation journey with hot air balloons and is excited to share his passion about aviation with those who fly with him.

About EAA Aviation Museum

The EAA Aviation Museum is located just off Interstate 41 at the Highway 44 exit in Oshkosh. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAA members receive free museum admission year-round. For more information, call the EAA Aviation Museum at (920) 426-4818 or visit www.EAA.org/museum.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating a shooting incident that occurred in the 300 block of Oxford Ave. On May 30, 2022 at 5:51 PM, Officers responded to a report of a person who had been shot. The individual was transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased.

Responding officers located the suspected shooter near the area of the shooting and he was taken into custody. He is a 37 year old male from Oshkosh. He has been placed in the Winnebago County Jail for charges of 1st Degree Intentional Homicide.

The incident remains under investigation. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family. The name of the defendant will not be released until he is formally charged by the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477; or through the P3 App.

Victims and witnesses of crimes have rights. For more information about these rights and services, please visit our webpage at: http://www.oshkoshpd.com/VictimServices/

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating a human trafficking situation involving a business located at 1000 Oregon Street in the city of Oshkosh.

Detectives from the Oshkosh Police Department have been investigating a business called Oriental Spa which is located at 1000 Oregon Street. Video surveillance revealed that only men were entering and exiting from that business. A search warrant was served at that location and two females were located inside along with $1,325.00. Further investigation revealed that the women were victims of HumanTrafficking, and staff from the Damascus Road Project assisted with providing services.

A search warrant was served at a nearby residence where the females were living. There was very little property at that location but $1,720.00 was found inside.

The Manitowoc Police Department assisted the Oshkosh Police Department by serving a search warrant at the residence the owners of Oriental Spa (in Manitowoc). Located inside of the home was approximately $40,000.

This investigation is still on going at this time. The Oshkosh Police Department continues to be vigilant in our efforts to combat Human Trafficking.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at 920-231-8477; or through the P3 App.

The Oregon/Jackson Street Bridge is closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic until further notice. At the current time, 2:00 p.m., the bridge is in the lowered position and is also closed to marine traffic. The closure is due to worn gear teeth components that were discovered yesterday, May 25th, while a routine bridge inspection was conducted.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) bridge engineers are developing plans to raise one leaf of the bridge to the upright position and secure the lift span. This will allow marine traffic to pass while the bridge is closed to vehicles and pedestrians. Vehicles can use the Main Street (US 45) Bridge or the Wisconsin Street Bridge (WIS 44) while the bridge is in the upright position. The closure will not affect response times of emergency services units.

WisDOT engineers are working to develop a solution to restore functionality of the bridge. In the meantime, the bridge is closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic until a more thorough assessment is complete. The repair scope, schedule and costs have not yet been determined.

The Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, regularly held on Fridays at the County Administration Building in Oshkosh, will be closed on Friday, May 27. The clinic will be open again on Friday, June 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the County Administration Building (112 Otter Avenue, Oshkosh). The clinic is available to anyone 5 years and older and offers Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and boosters to eligible individuals.

If you are looking for additional COVID-19 vaccine clinics, consider the following opportunities:

Find a complete list of local COVID-19 vaccine clinics at www.wcvaccine.org or call 920-232-3026.

The Winnebago County Health Department also continues to encourage folks to get tested when they have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus. The testing site at Sunnyview Expo Center operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional testing locations can be found at winnebagopublichealth.org. The Sunnyview Expo Center testing site will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day and will reopen on Tuesday, May 31.

For questions, please call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026 or visit winnebagopublichealth.org.

Oshkosh Public Library has always been home to stacks of books, trusted information, lively programs and crucial services. Now, it is also a pickup point for essential hygiene items not covered by government assistance programs.

The library has teamed up with the Day by Day Warming Shelter to create a Comfort Cabinet stocked with shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine products, hand warmers, hats and other basic necessities.

Items are housed in a repurposed card catalog located next to the First Floor Reading Room. It is maintained and stocked by staff from the Day by Day Warming Shelter.

Last November, library staff and managers toured the Day by Day Warming Shelter. Seeing how difficult it can be to reach those in need prompted library staff to work with Day by Day to help broaden the shelter’s reach.

“Our visit sparked an ongoing dialogue with the shelter’s leadership about community needs and how the library can bridge some of the gaps that currently exist,” said Kim Hoffman, Public Services Operations Manager.

Providing help in a practical way that maintains both privacy and dignity were important considerations when the Comfort Cabinet was initially discussed.

“Anyone is welcome to help themselves to free items whenever the library is open,” Hoffman said. “There is no paperwork, a library card is not required, and no questions are asked.”

One of the library’s Strategic Plan Goals is to be “A community-driven library.” The Comfort Cabinet is one step toward living out that commitment.

If you would like to help, donations for the Comfort Cabinet can be dropped off at the Day by Day Warming Shelter, 449 High Avenue. Details and a current Needs List can be found atdaybydayshelter.org.

The Oshkosh Police Department is investigating a suspicious incident that occurred near W 17th Avenue and Delaware Street in the City of Oshkosh.

Officers were notified of an incident that occurred today at approximately 4:00 PM. A juvenile female reported that she was walking near the intersection of W 17th Avenue and Delaware Street when a male whom she didn’t know walked up to her.

He tried to convince her that he was related to a friend of hers and that he would give her a ride home. She ran away from this male and he didn’t chase her.

This male is described as a Caucasian in his 30’s, approximately 6’2″ tall with an average build. He has brown medium length hair, green eyes and a large tattoo on the right side of his neck. He is described as wearing a baggy green hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and a blue surgical face mask.

The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Doug Gieryn, Director/Health Officer of the Winnebago County Health Department, was named the 2022 Health Officer of the Year by the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards (WALHDAB).

One of the many nominators for this award shared this: “Doug has been a leader during the COVID response for the state through his participation in the morning COVID Response Team for over two years. He has stepped forward during a pandemic to create positive change and forge forward in stronger partnerships. Doug consistently sees opportunities for growth to address health disparities. He has given his time and leadership to statewide conversations to benefit public health.”

Winnebago’s County Executive, Jon Doemel, added to Doug’s honor, “I appreciate Doug’s commitment to our community. Above and beyond countless hours focused on the pandemic, he and his team found capacity to help our County write and win a $10.35M grant to address housing instability through multiple projects and partners throughout the community. Director Gieryn has also fought our opioid crisis head on by implementing innovative methods to prevent overdose deaths in our county.”

The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the City’s observance of Memorial Day, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Monday, May 30, 2022.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Friday, June 3 moves to Saturday, June 4. Regular services will resume on Monday, June 6.

Additionally, the City’s yard waste drop-off center located on W. 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) will be closed for the holiday on Monday, May 30. The drop- off center will reopen on Tuesday, May 31.

Residential curbside brush collection for June will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the week of June 6 thru June 10.

Oshkosh GO Transit bus service will not be operating on Monday, May 30, 2022, due to the city’s observance of the Memorial Day holiday. GO Transit’s office at 926 Dempsey Trail will also be closed.

Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, May 31.

Oshkosh Media is proud to announce that staff received 10 awards in Wisconsin Community Media’s annual Best of the Midwest Media Fest that was held on May 12th, 2022. The competition includes Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. The following award-winning programs were produced by staff and aired on Oshkosh Media Gov TV, Life TV, and Oshkosh FM 101.9 in 2021:

Awards of Excellence (Gold):

Oshkosh State of the City 2021Oshkosh Public Museum “White Christmas” promoLWV & Oshkosh Media Candidates Forum for Common Council (Best in Show) Oshkosh Aviation Business Park promo (Best in Show)

Awards of Achievement (Silver):

Oshkosh Community Calendar (Radio)Oshkosh State of the City promoOshkosh Public Museum “The Nostalgia Awakens” PSA Oshkosh Police Department 2020 Annual Awards Ceremony

Awards of Merit (Bronze):

Oshkosh Holiday ParadeOshkosh Fire Department Food & Toy Drive PSA

In addition to staff winning these awards, local producers also took home some honors. Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17 Winnebago County received a Best in Show Excellence award for their show, “The Outpost.” The Oshkosh Ice Hawks hockey team received an Excellence award for their 2021- 22 season preview TV show. Radio producer Mike Lyster received a Best in Show Excellence award for his program “Around the Block.” And producer John Nieman received a Merit award for his TV show “The Place to Be, Oshkosh.”

Oshkosh Media staff are proud of the teamwork that goes into the creation of quality media productions. For more information about the awards or the Oshkosh Media division, please contact Operations Coordinator Jake Timm at (920) 236-5261 or [email protected].

Oshkosh West High School is excited to celebrate the legacy of a very special teacher and coach. All are invited to attend the dedication of Braugeor Zeitler Tennis Center on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the parking lot next to the school’s newly constructed tennis courts, located on Southland Avenue on the southwest corner of Oshkosh West High School (375 N Eagle Street). Standing room will be available or attendees can bring their own lawn chairs. Light refreshments will be served during a reception immediately following the dedication ceremony. The celebration will be moved indoors in the event of inclement weather.

For more than 30 years Braugeor Zeitler was an instrumental leader in the boys and girls tennis programs at Oshkosh West High School. He led the boys team from 1972-2004 and the girls team from 1987-2001. During that time, both teams won two Fox Valley Association (FVA) championships and Zeitler was named the FVA Boys Tennis Coach of the Year. Zeitler was also a longtime art teacher at Oshkosh West from 1972-1999. Additionally, Zeitler was involved in the Oshkosh Recreation Department and served as a tennis pro at several local clubs. He also helped establish the Oshkosh Tennis Association Summer Youth Program and the U.S. Tennis Association Summer Tennis Program at Oshkosh West.

Zeitler’s impact at Oshkosh West, as well as in the District and the entire Oshkosh community was far-reaching. During his time as an educator and coach, he stressed the importance of good citizenship and encouraged students to positively represent Oshkosh in all that they do.

Zeitler graduated from Fond du Lac Goodrich High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. As a member of the Titans tennis team between 1957 and 1963, Zeitler ranks as one of the greatest players in the history of UW Oshkosh men’s tennis. While compiling an overall record of 53-3, Zeitler won the WIAC No. 1 singles championship in 1961 and 1963 and added a No. 1 doubles title in 1960. At the national level, Zeitler qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championship as a singles player in 1963 and a doubles contestant in 1961. In 2012, Zeitler was named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s All-Centennial Men’s Tennis team.

The OASD Board of Education unanimously approved a community request to name the tennis center in Zeitler’s honor at its September 2021 meeting.

“Coach Zeitler’s dedication to Oshkosh West and the Oshkosh Area School District has impacted many students, athletes, staff, and community members,” said Brad Jodarski, Oshkosh West High School Activities Coordinator. “The Braugeor Zeitler Tennis Center will be an incredible honor to Coach Zeitler and a fitting tribute to his legacy.”

The EAA Aviation Museum is participating in the annual Blue Star Museums program, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel and their families this summer.

The EAA museum is one of numerous Wisconsin museums involved in Blue Star Museums supporting the program. A list of the more than 2,000 participating museums nationwide is available at https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums.

“EAA wanted to be involved in this program to say thanks to those men and women currently serving our country in the armed services, and to their immediate families who sacrifice so much to support them,” said Ron Connolly, EAA Aviation Museum director.

The 2022 free museum admission offer is good from Armed Forces Day (May 21) through Labor Day (September 5). It is not valid during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh week (July 23-31).

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps—and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

Spend a few hours reading this summer, and you may find yourself feeling less stressed, better rested, more empathetic, and if you’re a student, ready to return to the classroom this fall.

The library makes it easy to reap the rewards of reading with the annual Summer Reading Challenge. Starting June 1, register and track your reading online at

oshkoshpubliclibrary.beanstack.org or pick up a paper tracker at the library. The challenge runs through Aug. 13.

Throughout the summer readers can unlock virtual badges, receive reading recommendations, write reviews and redeem real world prizes at the library.

“Reading is really about choosing your own adventure, which makes it the perfect activity for the more relaxed pace of summer,” says Marie Boleman, Head of Children’s and Family Outreach Services. “The key to unlocking a love of reading at any age can be as simple as discovering the stories you enjoy.”

To rally local readers and generate excitement, the library has set an ambitious community reading goal of 1 million minutes. Combined minute totals for all age groups will be posted weekly on Facebook.

This year’s Kickoff Event is at Menominee Park on June 3 from 2 – 6 p.m. Kids ages 3 – 17 who sign up for the program at the event will earn a free day pass to Pollock Community Waterpark (while supplies last). A new Storywalk® will be on display for young children and their grownups to read together. Adults and teens can enter raffles for gift cards to Marcus Theatre, Starbucks and Downtown Oshkosh.

Highlights of this summer’s activities at the library include:

Children

Earn books, restaurant coupons, Timber Rattlers tickets and brag tags Free Take & Make Kits

Hands-on science-based programs

Tween Book Club

Zoomobile from the NEW Zoo

Teens

Earn gift cards, video games and signed books, plus a grand prize: Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones

Free Take & Make Kits

Teen Book Club

Drop-In craft sessions

Volunteer Fair

Lifeskills programs

Adults

Earn books and gift cards to Downtown Oshkosh, Target and Pick ‘n Save Free Take & Make Kits

Visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for a complete schedule of events or call 920-236-5208 (children and teens) or 920-236-5205 (adults).

Oshkosh Area United Way has awarded the Sue Panek Community Impact Award to Molly Smiltneek.

This award is presented each year to an individual or group that has a record of impactful work in one of OAUW’s three initiatives: financial stability, early childhood education, and/or mental health. Molly has received this award and $1,000 to donate to a project of her choice, E. Cook Bookworm Gardens.

This prestigious community award was named in honor of Sue Panek who served as OAUW’s Executive Director for 25 years. Panek dedicated her career to identifying needs, bringing together partners, and engaging the community to find solutions to social issues in Oshkosh.

Molly has been a driving force behind the scenes for projects and programs like Oshkosh Food Co-op,Dr. Erik’s Skate Club, Emeline Cook Elementary School PTO, and Winnebago County Health Department.“We are excited to honor Molly with this impact award because she is tackling crucial needs in ouarea,” said Amy Sitter, OAUW Board Chair. “We appreciate the impact that her time and talent havemade to help make our community stronger.”

For more information about this award and the Oshkosh Area United Way, visithttps://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/sue-panek-community-impact-award/. The nomination process willopen in the fall.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Lindsey Biesack is being recommended to serve as the next principal of Shapiro STEM Academy. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the May 25 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending Board approval, this appointment will begin on July 1, 2022.

Mrs. Biesack currently serves as principal of Washington Elementary School in the Oshkosh Area School District. She has an extensive background as an educator, with an incredible ability to develop relationships with students, staff, and families. She brings a depth of knowledge of the principles of conscious discipline and social emotional learning, and has a passion for empowering those around her. Additionally, her desire to continue to foster a welcoming, inclusive and caring environment where all students can thrive aligns with the OASD’s and Shapiro’s commitment to putting students first.

“I am eager to join the Shapiro team and meet the students, staff, and families, that make Shapiro STEM Academy such a wonderful learning community,” said Biesack. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the Oshkosh community.”

Oshkosh Area United Way will be accepting applications for the 2023 Community Investment Grant starting June 1. The application is available to organizations serving the Oshkosh Area United Way’s service area that offers programming in any of the following focus areas:

* Mental Health: In Oshkosh and the surrounding area, there is a need to support mental health. We financially support programs that connect residents to health and human services, provide healingand crisis intervention, and promote positive social relationships.

* Early Childhood Development: Expanding and providing access to high-quality childcare and education is among the smartest investments we can make. We fund programs that provide parents and children with tools to encourage early childhood development and overall school and career readiness.

* Steps Toward A Living Wage: Oshkosh Area United Way supports efforts to create financially-stable,self-sufficient households by supporting programs that improve skills to successfully gain employment, reduce transportation barriers, and provide basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. “Each year, community volunteers oversee the distribution of funds via grants to local organizations,” said Mary Ann L. Dilling, Oshkosh Area United Way President & CEO. “The application process allows organizations throughout our area to educate us on programs they are cultivating, and the lasting, measurable change they will have on our community.”

1 in 3 people in Oshkosh and the surrounding area benefit from programs funded through the United Way. In 2022, because of the generosity of our community, Oshkosh Area United Way is funding 42 programs from 25 organizations aimed at meeting the needs in our area and transforming Oshkosh and the surrounding area into a great place to live, work, and play – for every resident. Oshkosh Area United Way raises money through its annual campaign and awards grants to local programs to maximize the impact of their services.

Applicants must be a nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS as 501(c)3 or hold a similar tax exemption such as a school district or unit of county or local government. To be considered for funding, programs must support residents in Oshkosh Area United Way’s service area. Eligible community programs are invited to apply by the deadline on Thursday, June 30, 2022, by 11:55 p.m. Potential applicants may review the guidelines and access the application materials at oshkoshunitedway.org.

Organizations interested in applying for funding must take part in mandatory training before submitting an application. To sign up for training, please email [email protected] or call (920) 235-8560.

About Oshkosh Area United Way: Oshkosh Area United Way, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022, is a local nonprofit organization established in 1962. The mission of Oshkosh Area United Way is to improvethe lives of our community members by leveraging people and resources to create innovative solutionsto community needs. Give, advocate, or volunteer at oshkoshunitedway.org.

The Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community cordially invites you to attend an engaging talk on what we can do to establish peace in the world.

We are honored to have guest speaker Noelle Brigden, Associate Professor of Political Science at Marquette University, join us for the event.

We are also excited to have Tami McLaughlin, Office Director of World Relief Fox Valley, speak on this important topic.

June 7th, 2022@ 5:30 PMQamar Mosque300 N Eagle StreetOshkosh, WI

*This is a Women Only Event*

Please RSVP to Duresameen @ 920-216-3131 or Amtul Sara @ 920-216-0323 by June 1st. Email: [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you!

On Sunday, 05/15/2022, at 12:19 AM, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office 911 Comm Center was notified of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on STH 76 just north of E. Shady Ln. in the Winnebago County Town of Clayton. The distraught female caller on 911 reported that she had hit a person. The female was looking for the person, but she could not locate him. The caller remained on the phone and at the scene to assist with the crash investigation.

Law enforcement and EMS responders were dispatched to the area. Several responding officers arrived and spent some time searching for the victim. When the victim was located, life-saving measures were immediately initiated. Town of Clayton Fire Rescue and First Responders, Gold Cross Ambulance, and Theda Star Air Medical continued with life-saving efforts. Sadly, these efforts were unsuccessful, and the male victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2008 Nissan Ultima was being driven northbound on STH 76 near E. Shady Ln. by a 39-year-old female from Hortonville when the collision with the pedestrian occurred. The female driver of the passenger car was the only occupant of the car and was uninjured in the crash.

The deceased pedestrian is a 24-year-old male from Neenah.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office reconstructed the crash, and STH 76 remained closed until shortly after 4:00 AM. The Village of Fox Crossing Police Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office also assisted in the crash investigation.

At this time, the crash remains under investigation, and no further information will be released pending notification of family members.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those involved.

Oshkosh Area United Way will be holding its 13th Annual Golf to Give charity golf outing at Lake Breeze Golf Club on June 8. At this event, golfers will be able to play a round of golf while making a difference in the community. All proceeds from this event will go directly to funding programs that positively impact the lives of individuals and families in Oshkosh and the surrounding area.

“We rely on events like this to raise funds outside of our annual campaign,” President & CEO of Oshkosh Area United Way, Mary Ann L. Dilling, said. “Area families rely on the programs we fund, improving access to services that assist with mental illness, early childhood development, and steps to a living wage. We hope everyone is ready to tee up and help raise funds and awareness of the need in our community.”

The Golf to Give charity event will start at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast and player check-in. Golfers willstart playing at 9 a.m., followed by lunch on the course at 11:30 a.m., and end the event with a 19 th holeafter-party with raffles, prizes, and more.

“It’s one of my favorite days to ‘chip in’ helping to raise money and having fun while giving back,” OAUWBoard of Director and Golf to Give Chairperson, Mark Cyrulik. “I’m proud to be a part of this event thathelps fund programs that directly impact so many community members.”

Golfers must register online to save a spot at the event by Tuesday, May 31. Spots are limited. Individualgolfers and foursomes are welcome. To register, or for more information, readers can visitoshkoshunitedway.org/golf.

Sponsorships are still available. Companies that are interested in sponsoring the event can [email protected] or call 920-235-8560.

A long list of current military aircraft are among the early commitments to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, including many arriving to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force this year. The 69th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“Displays and aerial performances of current military aircraft are always among the most popular parts of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each year, for aviation enthusiasts and the public,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This is just the start, as we expect to list of military aircraft to grow as we approach AirVenture’s opening day, especially in support of the Air Force’s 75th anniversary in 2022.”

The current military aircraft listed, from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, are those on ground display, with some performing during the daily air shows as well. They include:

· C-5 Galaxy

· C-17 Globemaster III

· F-16 Fighting Falcon

· KC-46 Pegasus

· HH-60 Pavehawk

· AH-64 Apache

· UH-60 Blackhawk

· MH-47 Chinook

· AH-6 Little Bird

· T-38 Talon

Many more military aircraft, for both ground display and aerial demonstrations, are expected to be added to this list in the coming weeks, with announcements coming as confirmations are finalized.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) will once again be offering free nutritious meals to children during the summer months through its Summer Food Service Program. Free meals will be available at four District sites for children 18 years of age and under, and persons over 18 years of age who are determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who also participate in a public or private non-profit school program during the regular school year.

The following OASD locations will be serving free meals this summer, during the dates and times listed:

Jefferson Elementary and Oaklawn Elementary: June 13 – July 7 (Monday through Thursday; closed July 4) – Breakfast 7:45 – 8:15 a.m. and Lunch 11:15 a.m. – Noon

Perry Tipler Middle School: June 13 – July 7 (Monday through Thursday; closed July 4) Lunch 11:15 a.m. – Noon (NOTE: Grab and go breakfast at this site is available for OASD middle school students enrolled in summer school from 7:45 – 8:15 a.m.)

Oshkosh West High School: June 7 – July 18 (Monday through Friday; closed July 4) – Breakfast 7:30 – 8:20 a.m. and Lunch Noon – 1 p.m.

“This program fills a void created when school meals are not available,” said Michele Stahmann, OASD Director of Food Services “Helping parents meet the nutritional needs of their children is the strength of this program.”

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, provides nutritious meals to children during the summer, when free and reduced-price school meals are typically unavailable. Meals are provided to eligible children regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender or disability and there will be no discrimination in the course of meal service.

Non-discrimination Statement: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:(1) mail: U.S. Department of AgricultureOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, D.C. 20250-9410;(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or(3) email: [email protected] institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Oshkosh West students are excited to host the school’s first-ever Diversity Day and Fashion Show. Happening Friday, May 20, the event is open to the public and will feature a variety of activities and presentations with the goal of spotlighting the different cultures and people of Oshkosh West High School. The event is a collaboration between students in the school’s Fashion and Interior Design, Global Academy, English Speakers of Other Languages, Library and Media Center, Senior Foods, and Culinary Arts programs.

“Oshkosh West is a pretty incredible place, with so many different cultures and backgrounds represented in our student body,” said Mason Weigand, Oshkosh West senior and Diversity Day organizer. “The goal of this event is to raise awareness about diversity and really celebrate everything that makes our school community so special.”

Diversity Day at Oshkosh West will take place Friday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oshkosh West High School (375 N Eagle St, Oshkosh, WI 54902). The public is welcome and attendees must check in via door #24. Throughout the day, attendees can explore a variety of student-led presentations and displays, including sampling cultural cuisine made by West culinary students, hearing from current foreign exchange students, and listening to African Drum Circles. A cultural fashion show will take place at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in the Alberta Kimball Auditorium. The show will feature a variety of Oshkosh West students showcasing the many different cultures represented at Oshkosh West. Students designed their outfits and will be modeling them for this unique event.

“This event is a testament to our school’s commitment to learning from and with one another,” said Erin Kohl, Principal of Oshkosh West High School. “It is exciting and inspiring to see our students engaged and passionate about celebrating the diversity that exists within our school community.”

Oshkosh West High School is committed to creating a culture for learning that engages the entire school community so that all students graduate college, career, and community ready. The school offers more than 60 different co-curricular opportunities for students ranging from Division 1 athletics to fine arts, to interest- and curriculum-based clubs. For more information visit oshkosh-west-high.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

A local group, Wisconsin Ukrainians, is seeking support from Oshkosh residents for a targeted list of items that are difficult to obtain overseas.

“We are looking to collect items that are difficult to come by overseas at this time,” said Cassandra Bevaqua. “However, monetary donations are always welcome to allow us to purchase needed items that are more readily available on the ground in Eastern Europe to minimize the time it takes for the supplies to reach those who need them, as well as to keep shipping costs lower.”

A donation and information list can be found here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13XPOlvdK0uwQmLLlYmogKfBISgDSjp6UNyDJwloseaQ/edit?fbclid=IwAR0NDlEe2LraQZXDqjULYLw4_zEY0cphsuVC_rL5g9vqGHLWMnR805O6K_o

An Amazon wish list is here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7IXPAUNKP4AU?ref_=wl_share

A donor box is here:https://donorbox.org/wisconsin-ukrainians/

Currently, there are three Oshkosh sites collecting items.

Winnebago Area Literacy Council (Accepting medical and first aid supplies only)

106 Washington Avenue

3rd Floor of the Oshkosh Public Library

Oshkosh, WI 54901

920-236-5219

Mon – Thursday 8:00am-8:00pm

Friday 8:00am-6:00pm

Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm

Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm

Most Blessed Sacrament Parish

449 High Avenue

Oshkosh, WI 54901

920-231-9782

Office Hours: Mon – Thurs 8:00am-4:00pm

Church open for Mass: Sat 4:00pm, Sun 8:30am

New Moon Cafe

401 N Main Street

Oshkosh, WI 54901

920-232-0976

Monday 6:30am-5:00pm

Tues, Wed 6:30am-7:00pm

Thurs, Fri 6:30am-9:00pm

Saturday 7:00am-9:00pm

Sunday 8:00am-3:00pm

Oshkosh North High School Communities students Russell, Mason, and Charles are working together to honor veterans and host a ceremony for their school’s “Veterans Courtyard.” The courtyard is located on the east side of the school near the tennis courts. There will be a spring installment ceremony on May 20th at 1:30 pm. The community is invited to attend the installment ceremony. These student leaders are excited to recognize all the alumni and staff members of North who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

The courtyard currently has over 120 bricks in place. This, along with the 50 bricks being installed, brings the number to a grand total of 172 bricks inside the courtyard. The veterans’ bricks represent men and women that graduated from North and have served or are currently serving our country. Additionally, North faculty members who have served also have the opportunity to be represented in the Veterans Courtyard. If you would like to learn more about this project and other sponsorship opportunities involving the courtyard, contact Mrs. Susie Leib at her email [email protected] or visit their website https://www.communitiesonhs.org/veterans-courtyard.

Communities is a community based learning program at Oshkosh North High School that offers students a unique way to enhance their skills in: literacy, leadership, digital citizenship, and social studies while covering all required district standards. The Communities program collaborates with businesses, organizations, and members of the community in an effort to provide an authentic learning experience while improving the community.

On Thursday, May 5, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 Community Levels with new local data that puts Winnebago County in the Medium category. The Community Levels are a tool for monitoring COVID-19 and its impact on communities, and the recent uptick in cases in Winnebago County have resulted in an increase in the county’s level from low to medium.

CDC COVID-19 Community Levels are based on the total number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, number of new hospital admissions, and average percent of staffed inpatient beds and in the past 7 days. Low, Medium and High Community Levels determine which prevention measures are recommended for individuals and communities. Recommendations for Medium Community Level are as follows:

At all levels, people may choose to wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk or risk to household members. In addition, people with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Healthcare systems, businesses and schools may implement additional prevention strategies regardless of Community Level.

“We have been seeing cases, hospitalizations and percent positivity increase in our area over this past month due to the COVID-19 Omicron subvariants,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department director/health officer. “The medium level does not indicate a crisis level, but it does signal that the risk of infection is increasing in our communities and provides guidance for lowering the risk for yourself and those around you, especially if someone has a high risk for severe disease.”

Staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines is the best thing you can do, no matter the community level. If you are looking for a COVID-19 vaccine, consider the following opportunities:

The Winnebago County Health Department also continues to encourage folks to get tested when they have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus. The testing site at Sunnyview Expo Center operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional testing locations can be found at winnebagopublichealth.org. Find COVID-19 data for Winnebago County at wchd.pub/weeklydata and Community Level information at wchd.pub/communitylevelwc. For questions, please call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026 or visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating several damage to property complaints that took place in parks throughout the City of Oshkosh.

Officers received information that several juveniles damaged property at South Park, the Lake Fly Café (located in Menominee Park), and Stevens Park. Officers arrested one juvenile for damaging property valued at $1,600 at South Park. The various damage complaints took place at Stevens Park on April 24th and 29th, the complaint at Menominee Park occurred on April 30th and the damage to property at South Park took place on April 16th and May 3rd.

We strongly urge parents to remind children to be respectful of property and that repairs to fix damaged items can be very costly. Officers are currently working on identifying the individuals involved with these complaints. If anyone has information about these incidents, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at (920) 236-5700.

Many infants and families have been impacted by limited access to baby formula as a result of the recent formula recalls. Please share the following information with your clients and networks:

Nestle Nan Pro 1 (dairy-based) baby formula is free and available at the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry (2251 Jackson St, Oshkosh). The free formula is available to the entire community, you do not need to be a member of the Pantry to benefit.

You can stop by and pick up formula any time during their regular hours:

For more information please call the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry at 920-651-9960 or email them at [email protected].

On Friday, April 29 a graduation ceremony was held at the Oshkosh Corporationheadquarters for the recruits from the Joint Recruit Academy consisting of TheOshkosh Fire Department and Neenah Menasha Fire Rescue.

After eight weeks of training at the joint academy seven recruits graduated to becomeprobationary firefighters.

The new firefighters are:Oshkosh Fire DepartmentDavid BurroughsAlex JohhlDennis KilgoreBrayden LittonNick PeppardNeenah Menasha Fire RescueBennett KringsMax Schmidt

We congratulate these dedicated individuals and look forward to having them be part ofour team.

The remaining performances of Oshkosh West High School’s Spring Play, “Little Women”, scheduled for Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 have been canceled. This difficult decision was made out of an abundance of caution, per the activity’s COVID-19 safety protocols.

The performances will not be rescheduled due to time and space limitations.

“Our hearts are broken for all those involved in this production,” said Scotti Thurwatcher, Oshkosh West High School Drama Director. “These students devoted countless hours preparing for a memorable portrayal of “Little Women” and perfecting their performances. While we are grateful to have enjoyed a successful opening weekend, we know this news is devastating for our performers, stage crew, families, staff members, and spectators.”

The Oshkosh West High School administration extends its sincerest appreciation to all thosewho were involved in and supported this year’s Spring play.

The Oshkosh Area School District issued a response to a complaint from the ACLU about “pervasive” discrimination in local schools.

Here is the district’s response:

To date, the Oshkosh Area School District has not received any complaint filed by the ACLU and therefore is not in a position to comment further on any such complaint. The District, however, does maintain a specific policy for addressing matters of pupil discrimination and to date, no complaint under this policy has been filed by the ACLU or by the family referenced in their press release. The District can confirm that the ACLU has appeared in a student expulsion matter and that upon full hearing by an independent hearing officer, a student was expelled for endangering the property, health, and safety of others while at school and for repeated rule violations. The ALCU did appeal that decision to the State Department of Public Instruction which upheld the expulsion decision. The District remains committed to providing a safe environment for all students and takes any claims of discriminatory acts very seriously.

Here is the press release from the ACLU:

The ACLU of Wisconsin filed a complaint earlier this week with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights asking them to investigate the Oshkosh Area School District after Black middle school students were expelled when they were racially harassed at school.

The complaint alleges that two Black siblings, seventh-grader TreVon Swan, and his sister, six-grader Karizmah Keys, were subject to persistent racial harassment while attending Oshkosh Area School District schools and that the District and school administrators failed to address the racial harassment they were subjected to or investigate the incidents fully.

TreVon says he has experienced racially disparate punishment at Oshkosh Area School District schools since he was in Kindergarten, sometimes for minor things such as putting his head on his desk. His sister, Karizmah, has also experienced persistent racial harassment, and was targeted by a student who she says harassed her daily, and called her the n-word.

When the students’ mother brought it to the attention of school officials, they did not investigate the allegations and instead ignored the students’ claims.

Things escalated last year at a Halloween dance when the same white student who had racially harassed Karizmah instigated a conflict with a group of Black students by throwing water on them and calling them racial slurs, something witnessed by TreVon.

The other Black students, including Karizmah, voiced their frustration at the incident, as TreVon was being punished, but the student who harassed them was not. Seven Black students were ultimately referred for expulsion as a result of the events at the dance.

School administrators also called the police and referred juvenile charges of disorderly conduct against TreVon and Karizmah, as well as other Black students. The white student was not punished by school administrators, nor were charges referred to the police for the student.

The complaint alleges that the District did not investigate the racial harassment that TreVon and Karizmah endured. Additionally, at TreVon’s expulsion hearing, the school board official overseeing the hearing said that the racial harassment that occurred was “not relevant” to TreVon’s expulsion.

“The Oshkosh Area School District has an obligation to thoroughly investigate incidents of racial harassment occurring at its schools, but instead, the District has chosen to expel the Black students who are being subjected to harassment,” said Attorney Elisabeth Lambert, Equal Justice Works Fellow with the ACLU of Wisconsin.

“We hope that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights will investigate the incidents of racial harassment and force the District to address the harm that has been caused by creating a plan that will prevent racial harassment from occurring at its school. The District’s duty is to provide a school environment where all students can safely learn and thrive, regardless of their race.”

Shelley Brown-Giebel, preparedness specialist and COVID-19 response leader at the Winnebago County Health Department, was honored with a Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) in recognition of extraordinary support of their employees on duty with the 128 Air Control Squadron.

“The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees who, like the citizen soldiers before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve,” said LeRoy Frahm, Wisconsin ESGR Ombudsman Director and Volunteer. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units. Nearly half of our nation’s defense is in the National Guard and Reserves today.”

Master Sergeant Kenton Craddock of the Air National Guard nominated Brown-Giebel for her outstanding assistance and coordination with the National Guard during their COVID-19 response mission. Brown-Giebel has led the health department’s efforts in testing and vaccine throughout the pandemic.

“While I served on state military orders assigned to Winnebago and surrounding counties, Shelley excelled as a bridge between the Wisconsin National Guard and numerous county entities, ensuring mission success for testing and vaccination sites for over 50 Soldiers and Airmen at dozens of locations over an 18-month span,” stated Master Sergeant Kenton Craddock, “Her outstanding leadership and work ethic, combined with her kindness and care, resonated with my troops and she made us feel like family.”

Brown-Giebel expressed her pleasure at this surprise recognition from ESGR. She said, “Each day this group of dedicated men and women motivated me to be the best person I could be and to treat them with respect and gratitude, and I am a better person because of the experience. No words can express how honored and touched I am by this recognition.”

Following the award presentation, Winnebago County Health Department Director/Health Officer Doug Gieryn signed an official Statement of Support for all those who serve in the Guard and Reserve, which will be displayed in health department’s lobby.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce that Ms. Beth Galeazzi is being recommended to serve as principal of the District’s new northside elementary school, which is expected to open in fall 2024. The appointment will be included as an agenda item on the May 11 OASD Board of Education Meeting. Pending Board approval, this appointment will begin on July 1, 2024. Until that time, Principal Galeazzi will continue to serve as principal of Webster Stanley Elementary School. Washington and Merrill elementary schools will continue to be led by their exceptional principals until the new school opens in fall 2024.

Galeazzi has been a part of the Oshkosh Area School District since 2014. She is a skilled instructional leader with a passion for fostering professional growth for teachers and creating opportunities for all students and staff to thrive. Galeazzi also understands the importance of relationship building and is committed to working collaboratively with the future school community to ensure that all students, staff, and families are supported. Additionally, Galeazzi shares our District’s dedication to putting students first and developing a culture of respect and inclusivity, while providing a safe, academically challenging, and welcoming environment with high expectations for all.

The District conducted an extensive interview process that included interview teams comprised of staff from Merrill, Washington and Webster Stanley elementary schools, as well as District leadership. Pending Board approval, Galeazzi will be engaged in planning efforts related to the new elementary school project. During that time, she will provide critical input into the planning and design of the new school, including finding ways to foster community with the future staff, students, and families of the new school. The District’s decision to select the new school’s leader now ensures a strategic and collaborative path forward during this most critical time of the school’s development. The District remains committed to keeping all stakeholders informed and engaged during this exciting time.

The new northside elementary school will be located on the current Webster Stanley Elementary and Middle school site. Slated to open for the 2024-25 school year, the school will become home to students currently enrolled at Merrill, Washington, and Webster Stanley elementary schools. The new elementary school is one component of the first phase of the District’s long-range facilities plan, which received voter support through the success of the District’s 2020 capital referendum. The plan also includes construction of the new Vel Phillips Middle School, which is set to open for the 2023-24 school year. Vel Phillips Middle School is located adjacent to the current Merrill Middle School site on the corner of Kentucky Street and Nevada Avenue. Once open, this new middle school will become home to students currently enrolled at Merrill and Webster Stanley middle schools. Kristi Levy, current principal at both Merrill and Webster middle schools, was named principal of the new school in July 2021.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The Oshkosh Police Department has acquired a new immersive virtual reality training simulator.In this new virtual reality simulator, Apex Officer, the officer is placed in interactive real-life scenarios. Instructors can choose which type of call for the service the officer is responding to, the environment, and the dialogue. Scenarios can range from traffic stops to disturbances to life-threatening encounters.

This interactive system allows officers to work on a variety of skills including: de-escalation techniques, communication, active listening, decision-making, judgement and problem solving. Officers will receive immediate feedback during the scenario and after during debrief. This type of training provides additional opportunities for officers to learn in a controlled environment.

The Oshkosh Police Department continually looks for ways to be proactive with our training. We want to provide our citizens with the best service possible and we are very excited about the training opportunities this new system provides.

This simulator was purchased with funds that were generously donated by the JEK Foundation as the primary donor with additional support from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. We appreciate their continued support for our department.

Chief Dean Smith stated: “This is one more way for our department to bring modern and up to date training to our officers using the latest technology available.”

Sergeant of Professional Development, Todd Wrage stated: “The versatility of the Apex Officer simulator allows us to create in a safe virtual reality environment situations officers face in real life. Through the use of the simulator we are able to provide more frequent but shorter duration training which results in betterretention of the training content and more highly trained and competent officers.”

A new exhibit that opened April 23 in the EAA Aviation Museum’s Eagle Hangar honors the late Thomas Hudner, a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, with a Corsair aircraft that replaced the one Hudner used in his heroic actions that earned him the Medal of Honor.

The airplane has been in the EAA collection for 40 years and was fully restored in 1994 with the markings of World War II ace Kenneth Walsh. Recent research into the aircraft log books, however, showed the Corsair was a replacement for the Corsair that Hudner crash-landed in Korea in 1950 in an attempt to save fellow pilot Jesse Brown, the U.S. Navy’s first Black naval aviator. Hudner logged many hours and multiple carrier landings in the EAA aircraft, which after its Navy service was owned by several individuals before it was donated to EAA in 1982.

“When we discovered that our Corsair had a direct connection to a Medal of Honor recipient, it was an easy decision to restore the airplane to its Korean War markings to honor him,” said Ron Connolly, EAA Aviation Museum director. “This new exhibit also honors Jesse Brown as a naval aviator and the bond he forged with his squadron mates during that time.”

Members of the Hudner and Brown families were at the museum as part of the formal dedication of the display, including Thomas Hudner III, son of Thomas Hudner, and Jamal Knight, grandson of Jesse Brown. They also loaned personal memorabilia that adds to the authenticity of the exhibit.

The Korean War incident that memorialized Hudner and Brown is the subject of a soon-to-be-released major motion picture titled Devotion, starring Screen Actors Guild award winner Glen Powell, as well as Jonathan Majors, Serinda Swan, and Joe Jonas. That movie is scheduled to be released later this year, and EAA has been in regular contact with the movie production team in an advisory role.

The gull-winged Chance-Vought F4U-4 Corsair was one of the finest fighter-bomber aircraft produced during World War II. It was a formidable weapon from the closing months of WWII through the Korean War. In Korea, the Corsair was outclassed as a fighter (though it shot down at least one Chinese MiG-15 jet fighter), and it was used mostly as a ground-attack fighter/bomber. Its speed and ruggedness, and its huge bomb load capacity (rivaled only by late-model P-47s) made it very effective in the ground-attack role.

Corsairs were also flown by the U.S. Navy and Marines, the British Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the French Aéronavale.

About EAA Aviation Museum

The EAA Aviation Museum is located just off Interstate 41 at the Highway 44 exit in Oshkosh. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAA members receive free museum admission year-round. For more information, call the EAA Aviation Museum at (920) 426-4818 or visit www.EAA.org/museum.

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is hosting walk-in hiring events for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 jobs beginning on April 30. EAA is looking to hire individuals to fill as many as 700 temporary positions in various areas.

EAA AirVenture will be held July 25-31, and is the world’s largest annual gathering of aviation fans, with people visiting from more than 80 countries. These temporary positions are excellent opportunities for many people, including students or retirees, who are seeking a temporary position that does not require a full summer commitment.

Positions available include retail associate, security/event support, auto parking, camper registration, facilities staff, and bartender. To apply, retail applicants must be at least 14 years old, security at least 16 years old, and 18 years old for all other positions. It is encouraged to apply online before the hiring events, as individuals will have the opportunity to interview onsite.

The dates and times for the hiring event are:

The website to apply is EAA.org/Hiring22. There are two parts to the application: creating an account and completing an application. Detailed instructions about applying are also provided at that website. In addition, applications may be completed at the kiosk in the EAA Aviation Museum lobby. After submitting an application, individuals will receive a confirmation email.

If applicants are unable to attend the dates listed, email [email protected] to schedule a separate interview time. All interviews will be held at the EAA Aviation Museum, 3000 Poberezny Road in Oshkosh.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

No Mow May is a conservation initiative that encourages people to stop mowing or mow less often during the month of May to create habitat and provide resources for bees and other early-season pollinators. Registration is now open for property owners who wish to participate. Participation in No Mow May is voluntary and free of charge, but registration is required. Registration deadline is April 29th. Properties that have not registered for the city’s No Mow May program will be subject to regular penalties for long grasses or weeds.

Property owners may register through a link on the city’s website which can be accessed through the “Hot Topics” section, or by using the “Connect Oshkosh” app for mobile devices.

No Mow May encourages early season forage for native pollinators by reducing local mowing intensity during a month when foraging resources are limited. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often minimal. For more information about No Mow May, please contact the Oshkosh Community Development Department at (920) 236-5055.

Deputies and civilian staff at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office successfully completed Mental Health First Aid Training for Public Safety (MHFA), a national program offered by Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. (ACH) through a partnership with Freedom Behavioral Health, Inc. This program teaches law enforcement professionals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses andsubstance use disorders.

MHFA is an 8-hour training that gives officers the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance abuse problem while helping connect them to appropriate care. It focuses on the unique experiences and needs of public safety personnel, and is a valuable resource that can make a positive difference in officers’ lives and the communities in which they serve. Peer reviewed studies from across the globe show that MHFA training saves lives and improves the mental health of the individuals administering and receiving care.

“Mental Health First Aid training is a vital resource. Detention facilities are facing rising suicide rates. Officers need tools to maintain personal wellness while deescalating crises in the workplace and in their communities,” says Dr. Melissa Caldwell, President of Behavioral Health Services at Freedom Behavioral Health Inc.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office employs nearly 200 staff members and has an approximate average daily population of 204 detainees.

Freedom Behavioral Health, Inc. provides comprehensive solutions to help clients achieve freedom from illness and stressful burdens. Led by an expert team of behavioral health professionals, evidence-based programming for a broad range of behavioral health issues sets the standard for high quality care.

Advanced Correctional Healthcare Inc. is the nation’s largest county jail health care provider. They endeavor to make a difficult time in their patients’ lives easier. In 2019, they were awarded the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics.

Nearly 350 people came out to show support for the recovery community at the We Heart You: Recovery in Our Community Conference held on March 30 at UW- Oshkosh’s Culver Family Welcome Center. The purpose of the event was to break the silence of addiction, reduce stigma of recovery and save lives by connecting the community to resources, which 18 local organizations were on-hand to share.

“We Heart You” draws on the concept that no matter your situation, our community cares about you and wants to connect you to care. The idea for the conference stemmed from local conversations with people in recovery and their desire to celebrate the recovery community, break down stigmas, and educate people that addiction is a disease.

“The We Heart You event put into action the goal of joining the community at large with the recovery community,” said Sandy Shaffer, owner of Shaffer Counseling & Consulting in partnership with Collaborative Wellness. “With addiction and mental health increasing, it is crucial we work towards ending the stigma that results when conversations are not occurring. This event brought people together to have tough conversations, educate each other, and create inclusivity in our community.”

The room was filled with city and county leadership including introductions from Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel and Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri, as well as people in recovery sharing their own stories of resilience and success. Keynote speaker Lauren Sisler, a multinational award-winning sports broadcaster with ESPN and the SEC Network, shared her own story of losing both her parents to overdose deaths, and through her grief and despair found the courage to continue moving forward. She challenged our community to do the same, asking the audience, “From this point forward, how are you going to respond to adversity? How will your resilience shine through and lead you on your journey despite the challenges and disappointments?”

“This event was important to support the recovery community in showing those in recovery that they don’t have to proceed on their journey in silence and that they have support,” said Ashley Krueger, community member. “In order to continue efforts to break stigma, we need to bring awareness and education to everyone and bring acceptance to discussing this disease.”

Social connections, support and relationships are critical links to wellness and recovery. No one should have to struggle alone. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to get connected to resources in your area. You can also find a list of local agencies available to help on the We Heart You event webpage at bit.ly/weheartyouevent. In addition, the Winnebago County Health Department offers free Narcan at their Oshkosh location at 112 Otter Avenue, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit wchd.pub/narcan for more information.

“We can all save a life by learning the risk factors for an overdose, how to recognize when someone is experiencing an overdose, and how to effectively administer Narcan when a person has overdosed,” said Danielle Florence, community health strategist with the Winnebago County Health Department.

For those that missed the event or want to relive the excitement, Mirrorless Productions produced an event recap that shows the energy, the love, and a community who cares. View the video and photos from the event, along with a list of local resources at bit.ly/weheartyouevent. People can also continue the conversations and build community by posting on the We Heart You: Recovery in Our Community facebook page at bit.ly/weheartyoufb.

The We Heart You: Recovery in Our Community Conference was made possible through the support of the community and event sponsors: Amcor Cares, Rogers Behavioral Health, ThedaCare Foundation, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Breakwater Coalition, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Oshkosh Police Department, Winnebago County Health Department and Winnebago County Human Services.

Meeting rooms at the Oshkosh Public Library, which were unavailable during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, are once again open for the public to rent for meetings, presentations and other activities.

The library has several rooms of varying sizes available for the public to rent for a fee. Rooms are available when not in use for library programs, meetings or events. Limited equipment, including a podium, projector and DVD player are available upon request. One of the meeting rooms has a built-in sound system and a hearing loop.

To check on meeting room availability, call 920-236-5210 or visit the library’s Administration Office from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Reservations must be confirmed and payment made at the Administration Office.

General information about meeting rooms and related policies can be found at oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/usingthelibrary/meetingrooms.

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating an accident that occurred on Bowen Street near Windward Court in the City of Oshkosh. Earlier this morning, at approximately 8:35 AM, Officers were dispatched to an accident on Bowen Street.

The accident involved two motor vehicles. One vehicle was travelling Southbound on Bowen Street and crossed the center line, striking a vehicle that was driving Northbound on Bowen Street. After striking this vehicle, it continued to travel across Bowen Street, left the roadway and ultimatelystruck a tree.

Both drivers were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. The driver who was travelling Southbound is being treated for life-threatening injuries. The other driver is being treated for minor injuries.

The Oshkosh Police Department’s Accident Investigation Team and OPD Detectives responded to the scene and are continuing to investigate this accident. The roadway on Bowen Street between Leeward and Nicolet is currently closed.

Please avoid this area until further notice.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Eric Sparr to serve as Winnebago County District Attorney. The appointment fills the vacancy being created by District Attorney Christian A. Gossett’s resignation, effective May 7, 2022. Sparr will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends January 2025.

“Eric Sparr is a skilled prosecutor with strong ties to the local community,” said Gov. Evers. “In addition to his roots in the Oshkosh area, he has great experience implementing evidence-based practices and working collaboratively with law enforcement and partner organizations. He will make an excellent district attorney for the people of Winnebago County.”

Sparr has worked in the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office since 2005, first as an assistant district attorney and, since 2020, as the deputy district attorney. He has prosecuted a wide variety of cases, including domestic violence, sexual assault, drug crimes, property crimes, and homicides. Additionally, he has helped develop programming aimed at reducing recidivism and substance use disorders, including securing grant funding to initiate a misdemeanor drug diversion program.

“I would like to thank Governor Evers for appointing Deputy District Attorney Eric Sparr for the position of Winnebago County District Attorney,” said current Winnebago County District Attorney Gossett. “Not only was I pleased to recommend Deputy District Attorney Sparr, I was happy to see the unanimous support within the office and tremendous support within the community and our criminal justice partners for his appointment.”

Sparr grew up in Oshkosh and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He is active in a number of professional and community organizations, including serving as a board member for the Rotary Club of Oshkosh and the Day by Day Warming Shelter.

“I am honored to accept the Winnebago County District Attorney appointment and am grateful to Governor Evers and his office for their consideration,” said Sparr. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with our excellent law enforcement agencies. I appreciate the foundation that has been established in the District Attorney’s Office and will keep advancing our collaborations with our numerous community partners. I frequently describe, with emotion and great pride, my feelings about this office, how it functions, and what it means to me. I care tremendously about the office, our legal community, and the community as a whole, and I am eager to put that passion to work in a new role.”

The GO Transit office, located at 926 Dempsey Trail in Oshkosh, will be closed in observance of the Good Friday holiday on April 15, 2022.

City of Oshkosh buses will continue to operate on the regular schedule on Friday. The GO Transit office will reopen for regular hours on Monday, April 18.

For more information on GO Transit, visit www.rideGOtransit.com, follow GO Transit on Facebook and Twitter, or call (920) 232-5342.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is hosting an interactive Strategic Plan Community Update on Tuesday, April 19 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Oshkosh North High School Media Center (Door #7 – 1100 W Smith Ave, Oshkosh, WI). The event will allow attendees to learn about the District’s current strategic plan and engage in small group discussions with District leaders to ask questions and share feedback.

Using a World Cafe format, attendees will move from classroom to classroom to learn about each strategic plan goal area and discuss the progress being made. A note-taker in each room will capture a summary of each group’s discussion. The feedback will be presented to the OASD Board of Education during the May 11 Strategic Plan Workshop and will be used to help District leaders continue to advance the current Strategic Plan while also identifying areas of opportunity and need.

“We are committed to engaging with our community and partnering together to ensure that all students succeed in the Oshkosh Area School District,” said Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “Through this interactive event we hope to help our community understand our current efforts and also learn from each other about areas of improvement and opportunity. We look forward to learning together and using the feedback provided to guide our work.”

All OASD parents/guardians, students, staff members, and community members are invited to attend. The OASD Strategic Plan Community Update is meant to be an annual event, with the goal of increasing engagement and awareness of the District’s strategic efforts to be the leader in education.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Regular Board Meeting: March 30, 2022

Recognition:● The Board of Education recognized numerous OASD students during Art Recognition – Westside Schools. Each student received a certificate of accomplishment and their work was displayed during the meeting. The artwork is also available for viewing in the OASD Administration Office and in the following presentation: OASD Art Recognition – Westside Schools 2022.● The Board recognized the following retiring OASD employees: Peggy Buss, Matthew Geffers, Susan Greeninger, Ronald Hayes, Kay Honish, Julie Murphy, Janet Rettig, Cathy Spiegel, Katy Urbas and Joanne Wetterau.

Reports:● Board President Bob Poeschl provided the Board President’s Report, recognizing retiringemployees.● Superintendent Bryan Davis provided the Superintendent’s Good News Report andCalendar.● Superintendent Bryan Davis provided a summary of the Board Listening Session fromMarch 9, 2022.● Board Members provided summaries of the latest committee meetings, including: Policyand Governance, Legislative, and Facilities and Finance.

Workshop Discussions● Dianna Kresovic, CESA 6 Literacy Center Director, led a presentation on the District’sElementary Reading Resources Audit, along with Kim Brown, OASD Director ofLearning; and Linda Kuhaupt, OASD Director of Literacy.

KEY POINTS: The Oshkosh Area School District engaged CESA 6 to conduct a literacy audit in Fall 2021. The purpose of the audit was to identify strengths and weaknesses specific to the District’s current early literacy resources and identify goals for continuous improvement. The OASD understands that early literacy is the greatest opportunity for academic growth for students; and that support for students with dyslexia and related conditions is a priority. District leaders and staff also understand that explicit accountability in the system is needed in order to improve student literacy. The superintendent will work with staff and partners to design professional development and literacy supports that achieve the literacy targets as set by the school board. An action plan was developed and will be monitored, with regular updates shared with families and the school board. The District will:

KEY POINTS: The District’s proactive response to debt management will save taxpayers $9.2million in interest. Instead of taking 20 years to pay off $42 million of its debt from the 2020 Capital Referendum, the District will pay it off in five years. Additionally, the District is paying off $2,135,000 of existing debt from the Oaklawn Referendum early as a way to continue to be fiscally responsible.

CELEBRATION: To date, the District has saved taxpayers just under $38 million in interest costs related to the 2020 Capital Referendum. Before the referendum, the District expected to make three bond issues (borrowing money) in 2021 with projected interest rates between 3.5% and 4%. However, the District is being proactive and capitalizing on the extremely low interest rates available. In 2020 the District secured an unprecedented 1.66% interest rate on $65M.

The latest bond issue secures a 2.84% interest rate on $42M. These savings demonstrate the District’s commitment to being fiscally responsible and striving to save taxpayers money.

An annual contest honoring a hometown comic book legend is challenging community members to embark on a creative quest for its fourth year.

The Mark Gruenwald Comic Book Creation Challenge honors the late Oshkosh native who drew and edited numerous volumes for comic giant Marvel from 1978-1996, including Captain America. Gruenwald served as Marvel’s executive editor from 1987 until his death in 1996.

The challenge will kick off on Free Comic Book Day, Saturday, May 7. Individuals and teams are tasked with creating an original comic which will be judged on originality, artwork, story and character development.

Participants receive a free art kit loaded with supplies to help them bring their ideas to life. Art kits and registration forms are available at House of Heroes and the Oshkosh Public Library during business hours.

The project is the brainchild of Jon Doemel, owner of Zaroni’s Pizza; Scott Dercks, owner of House of Heroes Comics + Games; and the Winnebago Area Literacy Council. Other supporters include the Oshkosh Public Library and EAA.

According to organizers, the comic book challenge promotes literacy through comic books and graphic novels by creating an event for everyone.

“Reading and writing comic books is often times the first real exposure children have to understanding storylines and creativity,” explains Tom Perry, executive director of the Winnebago Area Literacy Council. “It facilitates reading development and we are honored to be a part of that growth.”

Creators compete in several age categories. Submissions must be turned in to the Oshkosh Public Library or House of Heroes by 6 pm on Aug. 31.

Visit gcbchallenge.com to find contest rules, age categories, and announcements on prizes andcelebration plans.

Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) said in a statement that he is pleased with the signing of Senate Bill 520. This bill funds the construction of a new juvenile correctional facility in Milwaukee County.

“The Legislature has worked hard to get us to this point. There have been disappointments and frustrations along the way, but we are finally seeing true progress.”

Rep. Schraa serves as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Corrections and was instrumental in the original bill to close Lincoln Hills as a juvenile prison and replace it with more evidence-based, treatment-focused facilities. He served on the Juvenile Corrections Study Committee which developed the Wisconsin Model for reforming juvenile justice.

“I want to thank everyone who was involved in making this bill law, moving forward Governor Walker’s vision of a better juvenile justice system for Wisconsin youth. The sooner we get these kids out of Lincoln Hills, the brighter their future will be.”

Algoma Boulevard between Wisconsin Street and West New York Avenue will be closed (to thru traffic) beginning on Wednesday, April 13th, for sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer construction. High Avenue from Osceola Street and West New York Avenue will temporarily have two-way traffic for access during the closure. This phase of construction is anticipated to last until October 28th.

These closures are required to complete the work within the road right-of-way in a safe manner for both the City’s contractor’s employees and the traveling public. Signs have been posted on the Project route to notify motorists of the upcoming roadway closure.

Local traffic may take:High Avenue Southbound/Northbound: Traveling south/north on High Avenue, temporary two-way traffic will be established from West New York Avenue to Osceola Street. Motorists shall have access to Vine Avenue, Woodland Avenue, and Rockwell Avenue.

Motorists are urged to plan alternate routes and expect delays due to the closure. As always,please be cautious when approaching any construction zone.

For more information, please visit the City’s website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us or contact theEngineering Division of the Public Works Department at (920) 236-5065.

Gov. Tony Evers announced an award Wednesday of $135,348 to the Oshkosh Area School District for mental health services.

The money is part of the governor’s $15 million “Get Kids Ahead” initiative, as announced during his 2022 State of the State address. Schools will be able to use these funds to provide direct mental healthcare, hire and support mental health navigators, provide mental health first aid and trauma-based care training, or provide family assistance programs.

“We know that long before the pandemic hit, kids across our state were already facing immense challenges with their mental health, but as parents and educators are seeing firsthand, these challenges have only been made worse by the isolating and traumatic events of the past two years,” said Evers. “These funds will go directly towards whatever mental health support and services our kids need so they can be successful both in and out of the classroom to help them grow, learn, and get ahead.”

Every public school district in the state was eligible to opt in to receive these funds and was guaranteed to receive a minimum of $10,000. The remainder of the funds were allocated on a per-pupil basis. A breakdown of funding by local education agency is available here.*

“This funding to support student mental health is already going out the door and making a difference in the lives of Wisconsin’s children,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly. “I commend the governor for his leadership, and for ensuring that this funding was both flexible enough for schools to access it effectively and intentional enough that it is truly addressing students’ needs.”

The coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated the pressing need for additional or improved student health services related to mental and behavioral health, and today’s announcement builds on the governor’s investments to support student mental health as the state recovers from COVID-19. In the 2021-23 biennial budget, the governor initially proposed $53.5 million for student mental health services, but the Legislature reduced the combined funding to a $19 million increase. And in December 2021, Gov. Evers delivered on a promise he made when he signed the biennial budget by providing an additional $110 million to support kids and schools that could be used by schools for anything kids needed to be successful, including mental health supports and more educational and extracurricular opportunities.

Additionally, last week, Gov. Evers announced a $5 million investment to make telehealth services, including mental and behavioral health services, more accessible by creating two $2.5 million grant programs for providers to expand and enhance child psychiatry telehealth services and partner with community organizations to establish neighborhood telehealth access points at food pantries, homeless shelters, libraries, long-term care facilities, community centers, and schools for people with limited access to technology and reliable internet service.

On Saturday, April 2, 2022 the Oshkosh Fire Department held their 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center.

Awards were presented to Oshkosh firefighters as well as some local citizens/groups. Award Recipients:

Life Saving Award

Lt Tony Montag—for an off-duty save.

Exceptional Duty Award

EMS Shift Coordinators: Ryan Homman and Andrew Knoll

Community Service Award

Equipment Operator Jamie Dutscheck

Firefighter/Paramedic Tim Reitz

Teamwork Award—(given to local first responders)

Cathie Ercegovac—Winneconne/Poygan Fire District

Glenn Demler—Town of Algoma Fire Department

Guardian Angel Award—(given to local citizens who performed life-saving actions)

Rexford Smith

Allen Schwartz

Friends of the Fire Department

Glen Curran—Battle on Bago

Karen Kryzaniak and Chris Farrell—EAA

Fire Chief Award

Phil Karsnia—Country Financial (Sponsor of the Awards Ceremony)

We extend our sincerest congratulations to all of the award winners and thank them for their service to our Department and community.

In response to the announcement by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in support of expanded eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses, the Winnebago County Health Department is now offering additional boosters to eligible individuals at all of their COVID-19 vaccine clinics.A second COVID-19 booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna is now recommended for certain individuals four months after their first booster dose. This includes people who are:

In additional, it’s recommended that anyone 5 years and older stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations by receiving both a primary series and booster dose as recommended. Vaccination continues to be the most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent severe illness due to the virus. The following vaccine clinics are hosted by the Winnebago County Health Department and will be providing primary and additional boosters to eligible individuals:

In addition, some healthcare providers, pharmacies and retail locations provide the COVID-19 vaccine. A complete list of local COVID-19 vaccine clinics can be found at www.wcvaccine.org or by calling the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026. The Winnebago County Health Department also continues to encourage folks to get tested when they have symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to the virus. The testing site at Sunnyview Expo Center operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional testing locations can be found at winnebagopublichealth.org and dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing. For questions, please call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026 or visit www.wcvaccine.org.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC or Commission) encourages electric, natural gas, and water utility customers with outstanding bills to make payment arrangements with their provider or apply for financial assistance before the annual winter heating moratorium on disconnections ends. From November 1st to April 15th, utilities are prohibited from disconnecting customers’ utility service for nonpayment when that service is used for home heating.

“For the third consecutive year, fewer Wisconsinites have been disconnected from their utility services thanks to the availability of federal resources and flexible payment plans offered by local utility providers,” said PSC Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq. “Now is the time for customers to contact their utility service providers to seek payment arrangements for outstanding bills before disconnections begin.”

As of November 1, 2021, approximately 3,804 residential locations were disconnected, compared to 4,717 in 2019, and 8,035 in 2018. To avoid disconnection, customers who have fallen behind on payments are encouraged first to contact their utility to set up a payment plan.Listed below is the contact information for the largest utilities in Wisconsin:

If customers are having difficulty paying their energy bills, they may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Administration’s Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), which provides assistance with emergency energy needs, emergency furnace repairs, conservation service and weatherization for low-income households. For more information about applying for energy, utility or emergency rental assistance, call the Statewide Customer Care Center at 1-800-506-5596.

If customers cannot reach an agreement with their utility, they may contact the PSC by calling 608-266-2001 or 1-800-225-7729, or by submitting a PSC complaint online.

Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) announces Day of Caring, one of the largest organized volunteer events in the area, will take place on Wednesday, May 4. Day of Caring, presented by Amcor and supported by SNC, is a community-wide service day with hundreds of volunteers working on projects hosted by organizations throughout Oshkosh area.

OAUW is currently asking residents, students, families, and employees to consider spending a half-day volunteering at the 25 th annual event to give back to local nonprofit agencies and organizations that are doing so much to better the lives of our friends and neighbors in the community.

A few examples of Day of Caring volunteer projects from past events include:

• Basic gardening/landscaping• Installing smoke detectors• Packing recipe bags• Writing letters of encouragement• Sorting socks and underwear for Back 2 School Fair• Moving furniture• Various skill-based tasks (assisting with social media strategy, reviewing HR handbooks)

“Volunteers statistically live longer, have more professional connections, and feel a stronger sense ofpurpose, plus they are the game changers in our community,” says Mary Ann L. Dilling, President, andCEO of OAUW. 2019’s event saw an overwhelming response of 175 volunteers completing 22 differentprojects for a total of over 600 hours of service.

Anyone interested in participating is asked to register individually or as a group by Friday, April 22.Following the deadline, volunteers will be assigned a specific project and site location. The day will begin with a volunteer breakfast and opening remarks from community leaders before volunteers head out to their assigned sites.

Those interested in making a difference in the community by generously donating their time during Dayof Caring can visit oshkoshunitedway.org/DOC for full details and a link to register!

Four flying aircraft from one of the largest flying warbird collections in the world will be coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, as the Military Aviation Museum of Virginia Beach, Virginia brings World War II-era airplanes to participate in this year’s event. The 69th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport.

The four airplanes – a de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, and North American P-51 Mustang – will be flown to Oshkosh and exhibited in the warbirds area. Several of these aircraft from the collection will also make appearances on Boeing Plaza, with the schedule to be determined. The appearance is part of the museum’s celebration of its founder, Jerry Yagen, and his aviation achievements. Yagen is scheduled to attend as well.

“Jerry Yagen’s passion for warbird aircraft has through the years evolved into one of most magnificent airworthy collections in the world,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “To have these airplanes as part of the world’s largest annual gathering of warbirds that occurs at Oshkosh every summer makes this year’s event even more special, both in the air and on the ground.”

Each aircraft brings a unique story:

· De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito – This airplane was sold surplus to a Canadian farmer in 1948, where it sat until a Canadian museum acquired it in 1978. The Military Aviation Museum obtained it in 2004 and shipped it to New Zealand for restoration. It made its first flight in 2012 and at the time was the only flying example of the type in the world. The aircraft previously attended AirVenture in 2015.

· Curtiss P-40 Warhawk – This aircraft is painted in the markings of David Lee “Tex” Hill of the famed “Flying Tigers” American Volunteer Group based in China. The aircraft was built in 1941 and sent to Great Britain as part of the lend-lease program, then on to the Soviet Union, where it was lost in action and not recovered for a half-century. The P-40 was the aircraft that established the Military Aviation Museum collection.

· Goodyear FG-1D Corsair – Delivered in May 1945, the Corsair spent much of its military career in storage, thus being one of the lowest time Corsairs known. The “Skull and Bones” livery honors a hometown hero, Norfolk, Virginia-born Ray Beacham, who flew with the famous VF-17 unit in the South Pacific.

· North American P-51D Mustang – Arguably the most iconic American fighter of WWII, the Mustang is a testament to American ingenuity and industrial capability. The Mustang was designed in 1940 with the first flying prototype built in just 120 days. The Military Aviation Museum’s example was built in 1945 and wears the markings of the 353rd Fighter Group.

Yagen will also bring his soon-to-be-published book to AirVenture and speak at Warbirds in Review sessions and other venues about building the warbird collection. The aircraft committed to Oshkosh are some of his favorite airplanes, as each played a key role in building the collection. More details will be announced as they are finalized.

Two city employees were presented with Employee of the Year recognition for their proactive reaction to a situation that could have resulted in a loss of safe drinking water. The two employees independently noticed a problem within the water distribution system.

A contractor boring for a utility company hit an eight-inch water service on the southwest side of Oshkosh. This resulted in significant water loss through the broken pipe, and almost drained a water tower completely. One staff member, Kodi Parker, was observing the construction of a sanitary sewer nearby and noticed the utility contractor having issues with water. The other staff member, Wendy Hamilton, was operating the Water Filtration Plant and noticed the water levels in the nearby water tower rapidly dropping.

Both of those staff members immediately contacted appropriate Public Works staff members, which started a rapid response to manage the situation. By the actions of Kodi, Wendy, and all involved, Oshkosh was spared from a greater crisis.

Their professionalism and urgency earned them this recognition.

Their awards were featuring during the 2022 Oshkosh State of the City video/virtual presentation, which is now available on the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel. The program features the State of the City Address presented by City Manager Mark Rohloff, as well as Employee of the Year recognition, Citizen Service Awards and Community Partnership Awards.

The city also recognized the Oshkosh Food Co-op, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights with Community Partnership Awards. A total of 10 individual citizens were also recognized for their volunteer work on the city’s board and commissions.

On April 7 and 8, the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) will hold special screenings of the documentary, Angst, in an effort to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts. Each screening will feature a viewing of the film, followed by an informative discussion centered around understanding and supporting anxiety.

What is the difference between “being anxious” and having an anxiety disorder? Why is there still so much fear and stigma in just talking to others instead of hiding online? What can each of us do to make it better and best engage in a full and happy life? Angst is on a mission: to start a global conversation and raise awareness around anxiety. This 56-minute documentary delves into all aspects of our society’s most common mental health challenge with:

Learn more and watch the film trailer at www.indieflix.com/angst.

The OASD’s first screening will take place on Thursday, April 7 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Webster Stanley auditorium, located at 915 Hazel St, Oshkosh. The second screening will take place on Friday, April 8 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Alberta Kimball Auditorium at Oshkosh West, located at 375 N Eagle St, Oshkosh. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. All are invited to attend, though the content is geared toward middle and high school students, parents, caregivers, and community members. Limited virtual viewing access is available for those unable to attend in-person or during the scheduled days/times. To request virtual access contact Jean Manecke, OASD District SEL Coordinator at 920.424.0170 ext. 4339 or [email protected].

The OASD’s community screenings are made possible through a mental health grant awarded to the District. A similar event focusing on social media balance was hosted in February 2022. To learn more visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/student-services.

The League of Women Voters of Winnebago County reminds voters to get ready to vote in the upcoming April 5 Election. On the ballot this election are candidates for local races, such as school boards and city councils, as well as judicial races. The League encourages voters to start their candidate research before they cast their ballot so they are informed voters whether they vote by absentee ballot or on Election Day. One source of nonpartisan candidate information is the League’s voter guide on VOTE411.org, where voters can go to read candidates’ responses to the League’s questionnaires. VOTE411.org is a convenient, easy and invaluable resource for voters who want reliable information about voting in Wisconsin. Tens of thousands of voters in Wisconsin rely on VOTE411.org as their go to source for unbiased candidate information, including many young people and first-time voters.“We know voters are busy, and we know that it is important them to make a plan to vote so they can readily participate in our democracy. That’s why we’re excited to provide voters these easy-to-access resources so they are fully prepared to cast their ballot as an informed voter,” said Eileen Newcomer, Voter Services Manager of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. “The League encourages voters to prepare to vote, visit VOTE411.org, and remind others about Election Day on April 5th.”

This is a press release from the city of Oshkosh.

Voters in Oshkosh can no longer use the drop box at City Hall to return their absentee ballots.

Absentee ballots must be returned by other methods in order to be counted for the April 5th Spring Election. Absentee ballots must be submitted directly by the voter and not by another individual, except as explicitly allowed by law.

The voter may return their ballot to the City Clerk’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 215 Church Avenue, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; to their polling place on Election Day; or send through the United States Mail.

If mailing, voters are advised to allow sufficient time for the delivery of the ballots to the City Clerk’s office by Election Day. A list of frequently asked questions & answers about absentee ballots is available on the city’s website. In-person absentee voting begins on Tuesday, March 22 at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall and continues until Friday, April 1 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For in-person voting on Election Day, Tuesday, April 5th, voters are advised to visit https://myvote.wi.gov to verify their polling place as voting districts and wards have recently changed. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on April 5th. The use of election drop boxes under current statutes in Wisconsin was challenged earlier this year. A court in Waukesha County issued a decision that significantly restricts the ability of local governments to use drop boxes for return of ballots.

Based on that decision and advice from the Wisconsin Counties Association, the city of Oshkosh will not accept ballots submitted through the City Hall drop box. For more information about the Spring Election, please contact the Oshkosh City Clerk’s office at (920) 236-5011.Clerk’s office at (920) 236-5011.

Community partners will be talking about the importance of harm reduction strategies to prevent overdoses in Winnebago County on Tuesday, March 15, from noon to 1 p.m. The discussion is presented by Breakwater, Winnebago County’s substance use prevention coalition, as part of their Winnebago Recovers Lunch and Learn Series.

Speakers at this Tuesday’s event include: Chief Kurt Leibold, UW-Oshkosh Chief of Police; Amanda Tennyson, prevention specialist at Vivent Health; and Danielle Florence, community health strategist at the Winnebago County Health Department.

Register for the virtual lunch and learn at wchd.pub/wcrecovers.

“Harm Reduction is a vital piece of keeping our community safe and healthy,” said Danielle Florence, community health strategist with the Winnebago County Health Department. “We hope this lunch and learn will highlight the work being done to meet people where they are, keep people who use drugs safe and prevent more overdose deaths.”

The Winnebago County Recovers Lunch and Learn Series is free and open to everyone. The series features six topic areas on substance use and the opioid response in Winnebago County. Harm reduction is the third part of the series and will include discussion on the local tools available to reduce the risk of overdose, such as access to sterile syringes, fentanyl test strips and Narcan. All events are held virtually on Tuesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. Dates and topics for the series can be found below:

Community members can register for the entire series or just the dates or topics they are interested in by visiting wchd.pub/wcrecovers. If you unable to attend the live lunch and learns or would like to view previous topics, the series is recorded and can be found at wchd.pub/winnebagorecovers. Prior topics include resource navigation, family and friend support, and an overview of Breakwater. If you have any questions, or want more information on Breakwater or substance use in Winnebago County, please contact the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3000, or visit www.breakwaterwi.org.

Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) is a new statewide program that can help with overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more. The program is open to individuals and families who live in Wisconsin with overdue housing-related bills, both with and without a mortgage, who meet income and other eligibility requirements, and have experienced a qualified economic hardship since January 21, 2020.

The annual Oshkosh State of the City Address and Awards Program will happen in virtual format on Monday, March 28th. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. on multiple media platforms.

City Manager Mark Rohloff will highlight Oshkosh’s progress, look at what’s to come later in 2022, and look ahead to future goals. The event will begin with an introduction by Mayor Lori Palmeri, followed by City Manager Rohloff delivering the State of the City Address.

This year’s theme is “A Vision for Oshkosh” which includes a look at the city’s Strategic Plan, its elements, and why it’s important for residents. Following the Address, the Citizen Service Awards and Community Partnership Awards will be presented by Mayor Lori Palmeri and Oshkosh Common Council members Michael Ford, Lynnsey Erickson, Bill Miller, Courtney Hansen, Matt Mugerauer and Aaron Wojciechowski.

The Citizen Service Awards honor individuals who have achieved various five-year milestones serving on city boards and commissions, and the Community Partnership Awards recognize organizations that have enriched the quality of life in Oshkosh through initiatives, programs and support.

The video presentation will debut on the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel at 6:00 p.m. on March 28th. The full video presentation will also be simulcast at 6:00 p.m. on Gov TV, seen on Spectrum channel 10, U-verse channel 99, the Oshkosh Media app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, and live streamed on www.OshkoshMedia.org. It will also be available for viewing later on the Oshkosh Media YouTube channel. For more information, contact Communications Coordinator Andy Radig at (920) 236-5269.

Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri today announced her intention to seek the Democratic Party nomination to run for the 54th Assembly District seat being vacated by Rep. Gordon Hintz.

“Oshkosh citizens have made it clear, time and again, that they want their state government to be focused on job creation, tax fairness, fully funding our schools, preserving our environment, and protecting our right to vote,” said Palmeri. “I will carry that message to Madison and make it heard. To the citizens of Oshkosh, I say this: I will be your voice in Madison.”

Lori Palmeri is a 54-year-old married mother of two adult children and two fabulous grandchildren. “Grandmothers know how to solve problems and get things done, two qualities that are missing in Madison right now. When I get to Madison, I will make it clear from day one that our grandkids’ futures are more important than political games.”

Palmeri thanked Representative Hintz for his public service, especially his outspoken commitment to tax fairness, fully funding our schools, defending the right to vote, and other policies that benefit Oshkosh citizens.

“As Mayor of Oshkosh I’ve worked closely with Rep. Hintz on legislation impacting our community,” said Palmeri. “When I get elected to the Assembly, I will continue Rep. Hintz’s practice of being responsive to all citizens and local officials.”

Palmeri said that her main priorities as a State Representative will be:

Palmeri’s resume includes:

Mallory Fife, a nurse at Aurora Medical Center – Oshkosh, was selected as a 2021 Nurse of the Year for her exemplary demonstration of Advocate Aurora Health’s core nursing values and unwavering delivery of exceptional nursing care.

Mary Beth Kingston, chief nursing officer of Advocate Aurora Health, shares, “The 30 honorees from throughout our organization are being celebrated for their commitment to the delivery of exceptional, high quality, safe, nursing care, representing the work our 22,000 nurses do every day to help our patients live well.”

With more than a decade of nursing under her belt, Mallory’s day-to-day role at Aurora Medical Center- Oshkosh looked very different these past two years, as she picked up additional shifts on a COVID-19 unit in an effort to ease staffing shortages. She attributes her deep appreciation for teamwork to caring for patients under difficult circumstances shoulder to shoulder with other clinicians.

“Mallory is highly regarded by both leadership and her peers for her deep sense of compassion for our patients and families as well as the nursing profession,” says Shane Carter, chief nursing officer, Aurora Medical Center – Oshkosh.

More than 700 nominations for this premier award were received on behalf of nurses from a variety of specialties across the patient care continuum. These frontline nurses represent diversity in their backgrounds and experiences, including veteran nurses with decades of experience, as well as others new to the profession yet already making an impact on their patients, colleagues and communities.

Nominations were submitted by clinicians and team members and reviewed by peer committees for blinded judging according to each nominee’s passion for patient care, commitment to service, solution-oriented abilities and evidence-based practice.

Advocate Aurora Health employs more than 22,000 nurses across the system’s 26 acute care facilities and more than 500 sites of care.

Senator Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced this week that more than $187 million in congressionally directed spending has been included in the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Legislation for Fiscal Year 2022. Senator Baldwin has spent the last year working to fund the projects on behalf of public and nonprofit entities across Wisconsin. Senator Baldwin voted to pass the legislation in the Senate, and the bill was sent to the President’s desk late Thursday.

The new money includes $600,000 for Partnership Community Health Center to expand the Oshkosh Dental Facility to address significant unmet need and better provide oral health care to the surrounding population with fewer capacity constraints, Baldwin said.

Gov. Tony Evers announced additional pay for correctional officers and sergeants, psychiatric care technicians, youth counselors, and related supervisors to address ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, high vacancy rates, and security staffing needs at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ and Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ 24/7 institutions.

The $3 per hour add-on will go into effect March 13, 2022, for all eligible employees in pay status, impacting more than 5,000 personnel across both agencies. Historically high vacancy rates at several state institutions have affected day to day operations and have resulted in the need for extra incentives to retain and attract additional staff to work at those facilities.

“Our security personnel have faced higher workloads, pressures, and hazards throughout the pandemic, and deserve to be fairly compensated,” said Gov. Evers. “My initial proposal called for an ongoing $5 per hour increase for security pay, which the Legislature refused to fund. This increase will provide a much-needed boost not only for recruitment and retention but also to recognize the critical role these workers have across our state.”

Under the 2021-23 compensation plan originally proposed by Gov. Evers, all security employees within these classifications would have received a permanent $5 per hour add-on. This pay increase would have been funded through a companion bill with general purpose revenue from the state, tapping into the largest general fund ending balance in state history to address this critical need with sustainable, ongoing state funding. Unfortunately, Legislative Republicans on the Joint Committee on Employment Relations rejected this permanent pay increase for security employees. Responsibly compensating our correctional officers, youth counselors, and psychiatric technicians is an important and ongoing state cost, and the administration will continue to advocate for a permanent solution to this workforce crisis.

“This is a major step towards making compensation more competitive for a sizeable portion of our agency’s workforce that provides direct care,” said DOC Secretary Kevin Carr. “When this administration took office, starting pay for a correctional officer was $16.65 per hour. After previous pay increases, that increased to $19.89 per hour. Now, with this add-on, the starting rate for all correctional officers will go to $22.89 per hour, which is a 37 percent increase in just three years. We will continue to advocate for better compensation for our staff, focusing on the areas of greatest need.”

“We need to do all that we can to retain the staff who are protecting the health and safety of some of our most vulnerable people—those needing care and treatment in our 24/7 facilities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “These positions provide critical support to Wisconsinites and being able to provide well-deserved pay increases will help ensure we can continue to provide high-quality care.”

The 2021-2023 State of Wisconsin Compensation Plan was approved on Dec. 21, 2021, and went into effect on Jan. 2, 2022. The security pay add-on is being implemented under the pilot add-on provisions of Section A, 4.39 of the 2021-2023 Compensation Plan, and will be paid in addition to any other add-ons identified in the plan. The pay increase is expected to continue through June 17, 2023, unless an extension is approved. The pay increase will be agency-funded to the extent possible, with the added use of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

High Avenue closure has been rescheduled due to construction delays.

The High Avenue closure is now scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 16th. Two sections of High Avenue between Osceola Street and Vine Avenue will be closed (to thru traffic) beginning Wednesday, March 16, 2022, for sanitary sewer, water main, and storm sewer construction. Algoma Boulevard from Osceola Street and West New York Avenue will temporarily have two-way traffic for access during the closure.

This phase of construction is anticipated to last about three weeks. The closure is required to complete the work within the road right-of-way in a safe manner for both the City’s contractor’s employees and the travelling public. Signs have been posted in advance of the closure to notify motorists of the roadway closure.

The designated detour routes motorists may take are: Algoma Boulevard Northbound: Traveling north on Algoma Boulevard, temporary two-way traffic will be established starting from Osceola Street to West New York Avenue. Motorists shall have access to Woodland Avenue and Vine Avenue. High Avenue Southbound: Traveling south on High Avenue from Congress Avenue, motorists shall have access to West New York Avenue. High Avenue from West New York Avenue to Vine Street ([1st closure] closed intersection) shall have temporary two-way traffic. When traveling south on High Avenue, motorists shall take West New York Avenue to Algoma Boulevard (temporary two-way traffic), having access to Vine Avenue, Woodland Avenue, Rockwell Avenue, and Osceola Street. The 2nd closure is located on High Avenue between Rockwell Avenue and Osceola Street.

Motorists are urged to plan alternate routes and expect delays due to the closure. As always, please be cautious when approaching any construction zone. For more information, please visit the City’s website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us or contact the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department at (920) 236-5065.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.

On March 12, 2022, JEFFREY JOHNSON M/W 11-23-1952 will be residing at 679 Franklin Street in the City of Oshkosh.

JEFFREY H. JOHNSON679 FRANKLIN STDOB: 11/23/195265 YEARS OLD5’ 08” TALL 170 LBSBLONDE HAIR BLUE EYESSCARS: MIDDLE BACK

TATTOOS: LEFT SHOULDER-“LAURA” AND BARBED WIRE;RIGHT SHOULDER: “KRIS”, TASMANIAN DEVIL

The offender was convicted in 1994 of TWO COUNTS OF 1ST DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT for sexually assaulting a 6 and 7 year old non-relative females. He was convicted in 1984 of 4TH DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT for sexually assaulting a 3 year male known to him. A charge of 4TH DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT was dismissed but read in for sexually assaulting a vulnerable adult.

This sex offender has served the sentence imposed on him/her by the courts and has advised officials that he/she will be living in the location on the opposite side of this page. THIS PERSON IS NOT WANTED BY THE POLICE AT THIS TIME. THIS NOTIFICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE FEAR; RATHER, IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT AN INFORMED PUBLIC IS A SAFER PUBLIC.

After serving almost four years in Winnebago County as one of the youngest elected officials in Wisconsin, and now serving on the Oshkosh Common Council since April 2021, Councilman Aaron Wojciechowski announced his candidacy for the 54th State Assembly District in 2022 citing the need for a new generation of leadership in the State Legislature.

Wojciechowski announced on social media Wednesday, March 9th his candidacy highlighting his career of public service since 2016. He has achieved many accomplishments, including creating sustainable and fiscally responsible county government, helping children and families in the Oshkosh Area School District, and fighting for improvement for Oshkosh on the Oshkosh Common Council. Since then, Wojciechowski has observed Wisconsin politics at the local level and decided it was time for new leadership and bold change.

Some of the main focuses of the campaign include economic security, making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable, investing in children, teachers, and education, and creating a sustainable plan for our infrastructure. Wojciechowski also pointed out flaws in Wisconsin politics that deserve change. Wisconsin does not need party-appeasing politicians; Wisconsin needs a leader ready to advocate for government accountability, fiscal responsibility, fairness, and opportunity for all Wisconsincitizens.

The Wisconsin State Assembly primary election takes place on Tuesday, August 9th, 2022. Thegeneral election takes place Tuesday, November 8th, 2022. Check myvote.wi.gov for votinglocation and how to register to vote.

About Aaron Wojciechowski for WisconsinOur campaign is a grassroots campaign funded by Wisconsin, for Wisconsin. For more information, check out www.wojoforwi.com, or follow @wojoforwi on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

On Wednesday, March 23, the Oshkosh community will come together for 24 hours of giving to support the amazing work of teachers and students in the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD). The OASD Education Foundation is looking to raise at least $10,000 during Give Education Day, on March 23, 2022. The Foundation is pleased to announce a $5,000 matching gift through the JEK foundation, which means that supporters have the opportunity to double their donations by participating in this special fundraising campaign. Early giving has already started and will continue through the end of the day on March 23.

Give Education Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event being held to benefit OASD students, teachers, and staff. All funds raised will be used to make the following projects a reality in the next school year:

To donate to the Foundation’s Give Education Day campaign visit https://www.give-education.com/organization/Oasd-Education-Foundation. Early giving is happening right now. Safe and secure donations can be made at any time now through midnight on Wednesday, March 23. Additional updates and reminders have been shared and will continue to be on the OASD Education Foundation’s Facebook page during the 24-hour fundraising campaign to capitalize on this exciting giving opportunity.

“Give Education Day provides a terrific opportunity for us to come together as a community to support our students, teachers, and schools,” stated Theresa Duren, OASD Education Foundation Director. “We are grateful for the generosity of the JEK foundation and are eager to match, and even exceed their $5,000 contribution.”

The OASD Education Foundation engages the community in supporting Oshkosh public schools and is committed to providing resources for innovation, fine arts, athletics, and other resources to enhance students’ lives. The OASD Education Foundation funds are managed by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. For more information or to make a donation, contact Theresa Duren at [email protected] or 920.424.0395. Additional information is available at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation.

The Oshkosh Police Department has added a new therapy dog to the Department.

Magic is a professionally trained, two year old female Golden Retriever who will provide emotional support to both members of our community and Officers. She will be working with our Behavioral Health Officer, Scott Sopata, who since October 2021 has been responding to behavioral health related calls, highly sensitive/emotional calls for service, as well as being used to support employees of the Oshkosh Police Department after Critical Incidents.

She is a very friendly dog, loves to be petted and always has a smile on her face.

The Oshkosh Police Department continues to be proactive in seeking various strategies to help Officers deescalate situations and bring them to peaceful resolutions. Magic will work “her magic” by bringing a sense of calm to high stress situations and will be an important asset to both the Department and the City of Oshkosh.

Magic was trained through a program called, Journey Together. Journey Together Service Dog Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Their mission is to provide highly trained service dogs to people diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dogs are placed at no charge with qualified Wisconsin residents who are 18 years or older.

This organization has a unique training program for their service dogs. The service dogs reside at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution and inmates apply to the program to provide training in a number of areas and care for the dogs.

Community volunteers go to the facility to provide instruction with inmates and take the dogs out of the prison to provide experiences that are not possible in a correctional facility. This partnership significantly decreases the cost of training service dogs, increasing the number of dogs who can be trained and placed in the community.

The Oshkosh Police Department feels that partnering with Journey Together and the Oshkosh Correctional Institution helps to support rehabilitation programs and also support citizens in our community who are diagnosed with PTSD.

Magic has completed extensive training with Journey Together and with Officer Sopata. She has several Certifications: Canine Good Citizen, Advanced Canine Good Citizen, Urban Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog. Journey Together typically trains their dogs from the time they are 8 weeks old until they are two years old.

Chief Dean Smith stated, “The ability to add a therapy dog to our programming to help our community members in need is another step forward that the Department has taken to respond to our community members in need. Magic has come to us through generous donations from our community through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. We are incredibly thankful for the support that our donors provide to us. Our community believes in the work that we are doing and we appreciate that!”

Behavioral Health Officer, Scott Sopata stated: “I am very excited about incorporating Magic into my role as BHO. We will work as a Team to assist individuals in crisis situations, help them get any needed resources, and will also conduct after care follow up with them. Magic will bring an additional sense ofcalm and peace wherever she goes.”

The Oshkosh Police Department has partnered with Winnebago County Human Services who will be providing a Mental Health Crisis Specialist Co-Responder to the team in the near future as well. This Co-Responder will be working with Behavioral Health Officer Sopata and will respond to calls for service with him to provide assessment and brief counseling to citizens experiencing a mental health emergency and determine the best intervention/ treatment options.

Funding for this new Co-Responder position is provided by Winnebago County (Human Services) and the City of Oshkosh and is currently posted online: https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/human-resources/employment-opportunities

The Oshkosh Police Department feels that Mental Health Wellness is a priority for both its employees and community members. By incorporating a Behavioral Health Officer, a therapy dog, and a Mental Health Crisis Specialist Co-Responder to our team as well as having a Mental Health and Resiliency program for employees we are striving to promote this wellness in our community.

Two sections of High Avenue between Osceola Street and Vine Avenue will be closed (to thru traffic) beginning on Monday, March 14, 2022, for sanitary, water main, and storm sewer construction.

Algoma Boulevard from Osceola Street and West New York Avenue will temporarily have two-way traffic for access during the closure. This phase of construction is anticipated to last about three weeks. The closure is required to complete the work within the road right-of-way in a safe manner for both the City’s contractor’s employees and the travelling public.

Signs have been posted in advance of the closure to notify motorists of the roadway closure.

The designated detour routes motorists may take are:

Algoma Boulevard Northbound: Traveling north on Algoma Boulevard, temporary two-way traffic will be established starting from Osceola Street to West New York Avenue. Motorists shall have access to Woodland Avenue and Vine Avenue.

High Avenue Southbound: Traveling south on High Avenue from Congress Avenue, motorists shall have access to West New York Avenue. High Avenue from West New York Avenue to Vine Street ([1st closure] closed intersection) shall have temporary two-way traffic. When traveling south on High Avenue, motorists shall take West New York Avenue to Algoma Boulevard (temporary two-way traffic), having access to Vine Avenue, Woodland Avenue, Rockwell Avenue, and Osceola Street. The 2nd closure is located on High Avenue between Rockwell Avenue and Osceola Street

Motorists are urged to plan alternate routes and expect delays due to the closure. As always, please be cautious when approaching any construction zone. For more information, please visit the City’s website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us or contact the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department at (920) 236-5065.

State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) announced today that he will not seek reelection to the state Assembly in the fall of 2022.

“It has been a great honor to represent the people of Oshkosh in the Wisconsin State Assembly the past 15 years. As someone born and raised in Oshkosh, a product of Oshkosh public schools, who shared his parents’ interest in public service, the job has been a thrilling and incredibly rewarding experience.

“Despite the changing nature of politics and different roles and responsibilities I have had in the Assembly, the people of Oshkosh have always remained my absolute priority. I am proud of the accomplishments I have been a part of during my time in the legislature. And while disappointed by many of the decisions that were made — or failed to be made — during my tenure, I have always strived to find value in my work that benefitted the people of the 54th District and of our state. I will miss many of the people I have served with, and the important work done each and every day.

Representative Hintz was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2006 and re-elected to his eighth term for the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. He has served as Chair of the Assembly Consumer Protection Committee (2009-10), a member of the State Building Commission (2009-14), on the legislature’s budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance for two budget cycles (2015-16 and 2017-18) and as a board member of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (2019 to present). In January, Rep. Hintz concluded his tenure as the Wisconsin State Assembly Minority Leader, a role he had been elected by his colleagues to serve in since the fall of 2017.

“I haven’t made any decisions about my future at this time, but look forward to the next challenge. Until my term as representative is up, I plan on continuing my service to my constituents. I’m grateful to have had this amazing opportunity to serve, and appreciate the support of my family, especially my wife Liz, during my time in office. I would like to thank the people of Oshkosh for their trust, and support in giving me the opportunity to represent them in the Assembly.”

The city of Oshkosh is accepting grant proposals from local non-profit organizations for the 2022 program year.

The program year runs from May 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023. The city of Oshkosh will utilize federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support a variety of public service activities. All clients benefitting from the use of CDBG funds must live within the city limits of Oshkosh. The proposal must provide a direct benefit for low to moderate income residents of Oshkosh.

The funds can be used for administration, supplies, materials and other costs related to the implementation and operation of a program. No applications will be accepted for startup costs or capital expenditures such as vehicles, facility renovations, and similar items.

Applications are due Monday, March 28, 2022 by 4:30 pm. The application is available on the city of Oshkosh website at https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/EconomicDevelopment/. Click on “CDBG 2022 Program Year Public Service Application” under “News and Updates”.

To submit an application, please email the completed application and attachments to Emily Tardiff, City of Oshkosh Grants Coordinator, at [email protected]. The total email attachments cannot exceed 10 MB in size.

Reach out to Emily Tardiff by email or phone 920-236-5029 with any questions.

Breakwater, Winnebago County’s substance use prevention coalition, will be holding a virtual lunch and learn series, focusing on substance use and the opioid response in Winnebago County. The series is intended for everyone impacted by substances and anyone interested in seeing Winnebago County grow and thrive as a recovery-friendly community.

“Everyone in our community has been impacted in some form by substance use,” said Hannah Wilz, Breakwater Coordinator for the Winnebago County Health Department. “We hope this series, which has been a collaborative community effort, will connect everyone with the appropriate resource tools when needed.” This FREE lunch and learn series is open to everyone and will be held virtually on Tuesdays beginning March 1, 2022 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. Dates and topics for the series can be found below.

Community members can register for the entire series or just the dates or topics they are interested in by visiting https://wchd.pub/wcrecovers. If you have any questions, or want more information on Breakwater or substance use in Winnebago County, please contact the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3000, or visit www.breakwaterwi.org.

On Friday, February 18 Division Chief Tim Heiman was named The 2022 Instructor of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Society of Emergency Services Instructors.

Chief Heiman, a fifteen year veteran of the Oshkosh Fire Department and in his fifth year as Division Chief of Training was recognized for his dedication and commitment to not only training but to also improving the health and safety of our firefighters.

The city of Oshkosh continues to monitor COVID case counts in Winnebago County and regularly communicates with local health officials. Given the trend of falling rates of infection in recent weeks, and the continued rise in vaccinations, the city will no longer require employees and visitors inside city-operated buildings to wear face coverings once the current requirement expires on February 28, 2022.

Beginning March 1, 2022, employees and visitors will be encouraged to wear face coverings if they choose to do so, but it will not be a requirement. Face coverings will continue to be required in GO Transit buses and facilities by federal order.

As of March 1st, Oshkosh boards and commissions will also be transitioning back to in-person meetings for boards and commissions that have not already noticed an upcoming virtual meeting. Oshkosh Common Council meetings will continue to be held in-person, but will no longer have the option for general public remote participation.

City staff will continue to monitor the COVID case count in Winnebago County and follow CDC guidance on reducing the rate of infection.

To limit contact, Oshkosh residents are encouraged to utilize online resources on the city’s website and to use the drop box in front of City Hall when conducting city business. For more information about face covering requirements in city buildings, please contact the Oshkosh City Manager’s office at (920) 236-5002

Joined by community members and elected leaders outraged by the loss of local jobs, Oshkosh Defense workers with the United Automobile Workers (UAW) Local 578 will rally Saturday at the corporation’s massive headquarters calling for a major investment in good union jobs for Fox Valley families.

Standing side-by-side with Wisconsin leaders including Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Assemblymember Gordon Hintz, and Assemblymember Lee Snodgrass, union workers—who have proudly built Oshkosh Defense vehicles for more than 80 years—will urge the federal defense contractor to deliver for its hometown and namesake by producing postal vehicles in Wisconsin. Workers will be flanked by banners and signs blaring, “We Can Build This” and “Building Union is Building Better” as momentum builds for workers’ demands that Oshkosh Defense bring the multi-billion-dollar postal contract home to Oshkosh.

“Oshkosh Defense was built by union workers in Wisconsin, and it’s only right that the company invest in our communities,” said UAW Local 578 President Bob Lynk. “But right now, the company is turning its back on the families and workers that have fueled its growth for more than 80 years, after spending the last decade cutting local jobs nearly in half. We can and should build the postal vehicle here in Wisconsin and create good-paying union jobs that our next generation needs. Oshkosh is more than ready to get to work: we have production facilities, our workers prepped the prototypes, and families and small businesses across 14 counties depend on these jobs. We’re going to keep fighting to restore jobs our community has lost.”

Oshkosh Defense has cut local employment to fewer than 1,700 workers, down from more than 3,000 workers in 2012, and continues to disinvest in the local Oshkosh community by rampantly displacing workers into lower-paying positions and production shifts. The Next Generation Delivery Vehicle contract awarded to Oshkosh Defense by the United States Postal Office is estimated to span $10 billion and create 1,000 new jobs — which are sorely needed across the Fox Valley to both put people to work in good, union jobs and fuel local economies.

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: UAW Local 578 Oshkosh Defense workers rally to demand good, union jobs

WHO: UAW Local 578 workers

Bob Lynk, UAW Local 578 President

Tim Jacobson, UAW Local 578 Chief Steward

Cindy Estrada, UAW International Vice President Ron McInroy, UAW Region 4 Director

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President

Joshua Fry, American Postal Workers Union 178 President

Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski

State Assemblymember Gordon Hintz

State Assemblymember Lee Snodgrass

Alex Lasry, candidate for U.S. Senate

Tom Nelson, candidate for U.S. Senate

Steven Olikara, candidate for U.S. Senate

WHEN: Saturday, February 26 — 12pm Central

WHERE: Oshkosh Corp. Headquarters (1917 Four Wheel Drive, Oshkosh, WI. 54902)

*** The event will be live streamed at https://www.facebook.com/uaw578/ ***

“Oshkosh Defense and the UAW have worked hand-in-hand for more than 80 years, supporting generations of Wisconsin workers across the Fox Valley. Make no mistake: it’s this long-standing partnership led by union workers that won Oshkosh Defense the opportunity to build the Next Generation Deliver Vehicle contract for USPS,” said Ron McInroy, Director of UAW Region 4, representing workers in 16 North-Central and Northwest states including Wisconsin. “When companies like Oshkosh Defense disinvest in union workers, they damage our economy at large and make it harder for middle class families to get ahead. That’s why Wisconsinites are coming together to demand more good, union jobs and work that will support families, lift up local communities, while delivering for our environment and serving our country.”

The United States Postal Service (USPS) awarded Oshkosh Defense a multibillion-dollar contract to build up to 165,000 “next generation delivery vehicles” (NGDVs) over ten-years, despite Oshkosh Defense’s claims that they were not seeking the contract. Soon after, UAW Local 578 workers in Oshkosh started creating prototype parts and tools, preparing to build the vehicles in Oshkosh and celebrating the new work. But instead of doing the work in Oshkosh, the company announced the NGDV contract would be produced in a new facility in another state, continuing its run of disinvesting in Oshkosh communities.

Alarmed by the company’s falling investments in Oshkosh, UAW Local 578 leaders are raising their voices to demand Oshkosh Defense deliver more good-paying, union jobs: circulating a petition signed by the majority of the workforce, testifying to the USPS Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., penning local op-eds, and meeting with Wisconsin elected leaders.

“Workers in Wisconsin and across the country are coming together at historic levels to demand good-paying union jobs that lift up whole communities while building a cleaner future,” said Cindy Estrada, UAW Vice President. “Corporations like Oshkosh Defense have an opportunity to do right by the people who power their profits—workers, their families and entire communities—by investing in a resilient climate future built by union workers. Every worker in every state deserves good union jobs, no matter where they live, because that’s how we’ll rebuild the middle class. That’s what this fight is about in Oshkosh and across the country, and workers will continue to come together and raise demands until we see the investments we need in our future.”

Support for UAW Local 578 workers is growing. The Oshkosh Common Council Tuesday passed a resolution supporting the production of Next Generation Delivery Vehicles in Oshkosh, affirming the need to support local workers advocating for more Oshkosh jobs. In support of the resolution, Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri said, “This is about promoting Oshkosh. When the [contract] announcement was made, I was really proud and excited that the city of Oshkosh was going to be hosting a company that was going to be part of producing that next generation of electric postal vehicles, and really disappointed to then hear that wasn’t the case.”

The resolution came just days after the Wisconsin Capital Times editorial board blasted the company’s decision to not utilize the Oshkosh workforce, writing, “Wisconsin UAW members should be building new Postal Service vehicles.”

In recent weeks, Senator Tammy Baldwin joined workers to push the company to bring the contract home, saying, “To me, it’s simple – I want Oshkosh Defense to manufacture trucks in Oshkosh with Wisconsin workers.” Sen. Baldwin and Senator Gary Peters of Michigan sent a letter to Oshkosh Defense in November questioning the manufacturing plans.

More than 30 union leaders, including AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, sent a letter urging President Biden to intervene with the NGDV contract to ensure it supports family-sustaining jobs. The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called on USPS to reevaluate its contract with Oshkosh Defense, with the White House calling the contract a once-in-a-generation opportunity to “create and sustain jobs, including well-paying union jobs.”

Effective immediately, Oshkosh Public Library staff and patrons will no longer be required to wear a mask while in the library.

The Library Board of Trustees voted during their February 24 meeting to end masking, enacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move follows a steady decline in COVID-19 cases in the local community and a drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations since the peak of the Omicron variant.

“Based on recent data, the board felt that it was the right time to lift the mandate,” said Library Director Jeff Gilderson-Duwe. “Materials will continue to be available via curbside pickup for patrons who prefer a contactless option,” he said.

For more information, please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org or call (920) 236-5203.

Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) is pleased with today’s vote to fund the new Juvenile Corrections Facility to replace Lincoln Hills School.

“It has been four long years since Governor Walker worked with us to enact his vision to transform juvenile justice in Wisconsin.”

Rep. Schraa served on the 25-member Juvenile Corrections Study Committee to develop recommendations for programming and locations for a maximum security facility for Serious Juvenile Offenders. The committee concluded its work back in 2018.

“There have been many setbacks, beginning with the change of administration. It took some time for them to get up to speed, so I even authored a bill to give the governor 6 months more to comply with the law. That didn’t help. The deadline to transfer youth to the new facility was last July. The youth are still in a severely substandard facility, and the staff there are still in grave danger.”

The location has been the hardest issue to resolve. Act 185 required the committee to first consider state-owned land, but all of the options were inadequate for the purpose.

“Instead of looking at alternatives, Secretary Carr made the unilateral decision to go with a swampy location in Hortonia without consulting the community and despite its distance from Milwaukee.” Several other locations in Milwaukee were proposed, also without community and stakeholder buy-in.

“I applaud Speaker Vos for standing up to Carr, who told me, ‘Give me the money and I’ll find a location.’ That’s just not responsible.

“No matter how unreasonable the Evers administration has been, we need to do what’s best for our troubled youth. In an eleventh-hour agreement, the Speaker, former Lieutenant Governor, among others, decided to entrust the Building Commission with the final approval of the location in order to pass this bill before the end of the session.”

Anyone with a passion for writing and the desire to cultivate their craft should plan to attend the Write Now! series of free workshops being offered at Oshkosh Public Library.

The series starts March 14 and will be held in the library’s lower level. Published authors will offer tips to overcome writer’s block, a method to plan out a novel, and the benefits of integrating poetry writing into your life.

Scheduled programs include:

Conquer Writer’s Block; Monday, March 14 at 6 p.m. Fiction author Bailey Hanson. Many authors struggle with writer’s block. This session highlights some core issues (character, plot, life issues) that can cause writing blockages; empowers writers to embrace a messy first draft; and includes practical writing exercises to get those creative juices flowing.

Novel Planning: The Snowflake Method; Tuesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. Wisconsin author David Michael Williams. You’ve got a great idea for a novel. Now what? Learn how to use this technique to plan your novel.

Poetry and Life; Saturday, March 26 at 10 a.m. Oshkosh Poet Laureate Tom Cannon. Explore the many benefits of incorporating poetry into your life. Through hands-on activities, participants will learn how to write poetry that can improve their lives and mental well-being.

For more information about Write Now!, please call (920) 236-5203 or email [email protected].

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details. Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Tues., March 1

LEGOmania Design Contest, ages 3 – 17. Dates and details at oshkoshpubliclibrary.org Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., March 2

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Resume Workshop, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Thurs., March 3

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Fri., March 4

Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 11

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6 – 12

Sat., March 5

Hip Pop Hooray for Reading Giveaway (limited supply), 9 a.m., all ages

Mon., March 7

Book Buzz, 8 a.m., YouTube

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12.

Shelf Selected for Kids, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live

Tues., March 8

Adult DIY: Folded Book Art, 6 p.m., adults

Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., March 9

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Job Interviewing Workshop, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Memory Café: Laughter & Lyrics, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adults

Thurs., March 10

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Mon., March 14

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12.

Write Now! Conquer Writer’s Block, 6 p.m., adults

Tues., March 15

Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adults Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., preschoolers

Wed., March 16

Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Career Counseling, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Thurs., March 17

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

Wonderlab: Colorful Bubble Prints: Surface Tension, 4:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9 Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 – 7 p.m., adults

Sun., March 20

Crafternoon, 1 – 3 p.m., teens & adults

Mon., March 21

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Crafternoon 1 – 3 p.m., teens & adults

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12

Tues., March 22

Write Now! Novel Planning: The Snowflake Method, adults Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., March 23

LEGOmania Design Contest: Virtual entries due today High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4 Job Search Assistance, 1 – 4 p.m., adults

Thurs., March 24

LEGOmania Design Contest: In-person entries due today

Fri., March 25

View LEGOmania entries, 10 a.m. – Noon, all ages

LEGOmania winners announced, Noon, all ages

Sat., March 26

Write Now! Poetry & Life, 10 a.m., adults

Mon., March 28

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers

Read to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12

Tues., March 29

Stories by Starlight, 6: 15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., March 30

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4

Thurs., March 31

Mindworks, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., adults

The Oshkosh Fire Department has rolled out a new, proactive program to help reduce and prevent the alarming number of opioid overdose deaths. In order to do this they are leaving behind Narcan kits when they go on 9-1-1 calls for an overdose.

The kits are being supplied by the Winnebago County Health Department based on recommendations from the local Overdose Fatality Review Team.

Each kit has two doses of NARCAN that can be administered in a nasal spray along with instructions on how to use it. There is also a card with information on how people can get help for substance abuse problems.

These kits will only be given out in emergency situations by our Department. However, the Winnebago County Health Department has them available for non-emergency situations as an overdose preventative measure for those who struggle with opiate addiction.

The program has been in place since last week and we have already given out one ofthe kits.

Doc, one of two airworthy Boeing B-29s in the world, will be returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022 for air show appearances and static displays during the week. While the exact appearance schedule is still being finalized, the aircraft will be parked on Boeing Plaza for public view when on the AirVenture grounds.

The World War II-era bomber will help commemorate the U.S. Air Force’s 75th anniversary at Oshkosh in 2022. AirVenture will feature aircraft from throughout the Air Force’s history, from its creation out of the Army Air Forces in 1947 to today’s modern military aircraft.

“The rarity and the historical significance of the B-29 always make it a popular sight at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Being able to see Doc both on the ground and in the air during AirVenture week will be a big addition to our commemoration of the U.S. Air Force’s 75th anniversary this summer.”

Doc was rescued from the Mojave Desert in 1987 and was meticulously restored over a 30-year period. It made its first air show appearances in 2017, including a legendary flight at Oshkosh that year with the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29 FIFI, marking the first time two B-29s had flown together in formation in approximately 60 years.

Earlier this month, EAA and Doc’s Friends announced that the B-29 would be joining EAA’s B-25 Berlin Express for a series of joint appearances in Florida and Louisiana beginning late March.

Advance tickets for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh are now on sale, with the lowest rates for EAA members and early-bird discounts currently available.

In addition, Doc’s Friends will be offering flight experiences aboard the aircraft during AirVenture week, based at Appleton International Airport (ATW). More information is available through the Doc’s Friends website at www.b29doc.com/rides.

UPDATE: Detectives from the Oshkosh Police Department took a 23 year old male from Oshkosh into custody today at 11:38 AM. He was arrested for Robbery and Misdemeanor Bail Jumping.

February 17, 2022: The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating a Robbery at an area business near the intersection of 20th Ave and Oregon St that occurred at approximately 8:30 pm today, 02/17/2022.

Officers received information that a person entered the business and demanded money. The person received an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.

At this time the person is not yet identified, but this seems to be an isolated incident and it is not believed the public is in danger.

The Oshkosh Police Department is looking for the public’s help to identify a person of interest in this matter. Please see the photos below. Anyone recognizing this individual please contact the Oshkosh Police Department with that information.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5700. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) was surprised that the governor forgot to mention, in his State of the State address last night, the crisis at the Department of Corrections (DOC) that is spiraling out of control.

“While the governor was busy patting himself on the back for Republican accomplishments, I was waiting to hear his explanation for the crisis at DOC. Security staff are being forced to cover extra shifts because of the 26.8% vacancy rate statewide, 51% at Waupun in my district.

“Can you imagine how dangerous it is to work in a maximum security prison with only half of the necessary staff? These dedicated men and women are overworked, underpaid, burned out, and retiring or finding other employment. How do we retain current employees and attract new officers who are willing to stay? This death spiral can only be solved by immediate and significant raises. Right now, conditions are so bad that many new officers just leave after completing their training.

“So, my question for the governor is, ‘Why didn’t the DOC request raises, and why didn’t you, Mr. Governor, include raises in your budget?’

I have been sounding the alarm on this catastrophe. You can fix the problem right now, but you refuse to solve it.

“I just received word today that Waupun Correctional Institution had another staff assaulted by an inmate. You are responsible for this Mr. Governor.

“Let me be clear. Something even worse will happen. When programs are cut, inmate tensions increase. When officers work 16-hour shifts day after day, they cannot be at their peak performance. I am amazed that no one has fallen asleep at the wheel on the way home from work—yet. I am astounded that there hasn’t been a prison riot—yet. I am astonished that the governor is playing political games with people’s lives, but I shouldn’t be.”

Test your knowledge and help raise money for the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) Education Foundation. The OASD Education Foundation is hosting its eighth annual Trivia Night Fundraiser on Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Oshkosh Convention Center (2 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI). This event is open to the public, pre-registration preferred.

The evening will feature team trivia at 7 p.m., 50/50 and gift basket raffles, and other prizes, with the doors opening at 6:15 p.m. All are welcome to participate, cost of trivia is $100 per team with an 8-person maximum. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Pre-registration is preferred by Tuesday, February 22, 2022; however, walk-ins are welcomed.

To register, complete and submit a team registration Google Form or registration sheet to the OASD Education Foundation Attn: Theresa Duren, 215 S Eagle Street, Oshkosh WI 54902; make checks payable to OASD Education Foundation. Additional information, including the 2022 OASD Trivia Night Rules and Registration Form is available online at oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation/trivia-night.

This is a non-sanctioned trivia event. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and Best Team Theme/Costume. Participants are encouraged to be creative, dress up, decorate team tables and show team spirit.

All proceeds will benefit the OASD Education Foundation. Funds raised will be used to enhance the educational experience for students and staff in the OASD. The OASD Education Foundation is committed to providing resources for innovation, fine arts, athletics, scholarships, and other resources to enhance students’ lives. To learn more visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is announcing plans to move to optional face coverings, effective February 26, 2022. The latest local COVID data shows a continued downward trend in case rates, and vaccine access for all students age 5+ continues to be the District’s greatest mitigation effort. The OASD remains committed to providing in-person instruction for students in a healthy and safe environment this school year.

Superintendent Davis also released a video message to families.

Face coverings will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors in OASD buildings beginning Saturday, February 26, 2022. Face coverings will be used as a temporary but required mitigation measure for individual classes and schools whenever the following COVID thresholds are met.

Additional face covering details for the District as of February 26 are as follows:

“We want to thank our students, staff, and families for following our mitigation measures,” stated Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “As we transition into our face covering optional environment, it will be important that we respect individual choices to continue to wear face coverings and we ask everyone to practice kindness in your daily interactions in our schools and around the community.”

The District’s next COVID vaccine clinic is happening on February 21 at Merrill Middle School (LEARN MORE). Vaccinations are currently available for anyone age 5 and older at local clinics and listed on the Winnebago County Health Department’s website at wcvaccine.org//vaccination-sites. Community opportunities include Walk-In Wednesdays at Sunnyview Expo Center (500 E. County Road Y) from 1 to 6 p.m. each Wednesday (no appointment necessary), as well as options at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Pick n’ Save, and Hometown Pharmacy. Additionally, anyone ages 16 and older can get a booster shot; to learn more visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving nearly 10,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

A February 8, 2022, report published by the Wisconsin Policy Forum entitled “Could Surplus Help Improve State-Local Relations?” details the significant projected surplus that the state of Wisconsin will receive over the next two years as a result of recent fiscal reforms and the improved collections of state income tax. The report further details the opportunity to address flaws in the state’s approach to financing local governments.

The report indicates that state “shared revenue” to local municipalities has been frozen at the same amount for the past ten years. The report also notes that while state income tax collections have more than tripled since the early 1990’s, appropriations for the shared revenue program have declined (see graph on the second page). If inflation is taken into account, the disparity becomes more striking. If the appropriation shared revenue had grown at the pace of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), it would be more than doubled from what the appropriation is today. Oshkosh Finance Director Russ Van Gompel notes that “for the city of Oshkosh, if state shared revenue had been increased by the CPI since 1993, our shared revenue payment ($9,609,400) would have doubled between 1993 and 2022. That additional fair share would have reduced the city of Oshkosh tax levy (currently $43.9 million) by nearly 22%.”

The report also notes the fiscal pressures that levy limits cause in providing core services like police, fire, public works, parks, and cultural services. Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff reacted to the report, saying “a variety of ideas are under consideration at the state level for responding to the budget surplus, but another option that should be given close consideration is to use a portion of the funds to help address financial challenges faced by cities like Oshkosh and other municipal governments throughout Wisconsin.” Rohloff noted that leaders of other neighboring cities are also aware of the report. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities’ Executive Director, Jerry Deschane, stated “as this report shows, now is the best time to address Wisconsin’s broken system for funding local government and implement a comprehensive revamp. Our municipalities are doing more with less and making difficult budgeting decisions, but without fixing a broken system, they are struggling to provide needed services such as public safety.”

Oshkosh is determined to work with legislators on the best ways to modernize and diversify municipal revenue options and revitalize state aid programs during the next legislative session. For more information about restoration of state revenue for Oshkosh and other communities, please contact the Oshkosh City Manager’s office at (920) 236-5002.

THE OSHKOSH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS HOLDING ON-THE-SPOT JOB INTERVIEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 FROM 4 TO 8 P.M. AT THE OSHKOSH CONVENTION CENTER.

FULL AND PART-TIME POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE. CURRENT OPENINGS INCLUDE

SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES ENJOY FAMILY FRIENDLY HOURS, COMPETITIVE WAGES AND EXCELLENT BENEFITS!

WHETHER YOU ARE TRAINED IN EDUCATION, NEW TO THE FIELD OR LOOKING FOR A CAREER CHANGE, THE OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A PLACE FOR YOU. BE THE DIFFERENCE – FOR OSHKOSH STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY!

VISIT OSHKOSH.K12.WI.US/JOBS TO LEARN MORE.

A critical resource to Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) ensuring the health, education, and financial stability is 211. 211 is a free, confidential helpline available across Oshkosh and the surrounding area powered by 211 Information Specialists that are trained to ask the right questions, thoroughly assess situations, and remain non-judgmental to find the most appropriate resources available. Every call answered is handled with care, with the understanding that each call is not the same.

“United Way’s 211 services have the ability to quickly respond and assist local residents,” said Amy Sitter, OAUW Board Chair. “If you or a loved one are unsure where to turn, know that 211 is available 24/7, 365 days per year.”

On Friday, February 11, OAUW celebrated 211 Day with proclamations signed by both the City of Oshkosh and Winnebago County. We’d like to thank Mayor Lori Palmeri and Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel for their presentations to Amy Sitter, OAUW Board Chair, and for helping us spread the word about this great, free resource to our community.

City of Oshkosh 211 Day Proclamation

WHEREAS; 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects individuals in Oshkosh and the surrounding area with community services and volunteer opportunities in their area; and

WHEREAS; 2-1-1 provides confidential, judgement-free interactions with trained specialists who connect folks to valuable resources when and where they need it, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, 365 days a week at no cost to the caller; and

WHEREAS; 2-1-1 handled more than 3,314 requests over the past year, and has continually demonstrated success at connecting folks with critical health and human services through an up-to-date and robust database system that provides access to over 326 services; and

WHEREAS; Hundreds of local callers to 2-1-1 were directed to organizations such as warming and domestic abuse shelters, legal services for eviction prevention, health services, financial counseling, and mental health and addiction counseling; and

WHEREAS; Hundreds of local callers to 2-1-1 were directed to resources such as food pantries, help with utility bills, or transportation; and

WHEREAS; Dozens of local callers to 2-1-1 connected with community groups that distribute meals, diapers, hygiene supplies, and household goods; and

WHEREAS; 2-1-1 also provides essential real-time data that highlights the needs and challenges that individuals, families, and communities are facing throughout the Oshkosh and surrounding area; and

WHEREAS; 2-1-1 is a public-private partnership of Oshkosh Area United Way, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, healthcare organizations, and many other; and

WHEREAS; the City of Oshkosh commends 2-1-1 for the valuable work they do in our communities, and encourages all residents of Oshkosh and the surrounding area to utilize their resources when needed, and

NOW THEREFORE, I, Lori Palmeri, Mayor of the City of Oshkosh, do hereby proclaim February 11, 2022 as

2-1-1 DAY

in the City of Oshkosh and surrounding area and I commend this observance to our residents.

LORI PALMERI, Mayor

City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Also, in attendance at the proclamation ceremony were additional 211 advocates including Oshkosh City Manager Mark Rohloff, Tom Fojtik from Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods, Teri Horner, Wendy Patzlaff, and Christopher Adams from Goodwill NCW, and Mary Geitman Schellinger from Verve, a Credit Union and OAUW volunteer.

“211 connects people and resources in times of need,” said Mary Gietman Schellinger, Director of Internal Communications + Engagement at Verve, a Credit Union. “My family is proud to financially support United Way to make impactful programs like this available to our friends and neighbors.”

Throughout the month of February, volunteers from Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods will distribute new 211 informational door hangers, sponsored by Castle Pierce Printing, to Oshkosh area neighborhoods.

For more information about OAUW’s 211 program, visit oshkoshunitedway.org/211.

The Oshkosh Police Department says that it is looking for any “individuals who have had an intimate relationship” with a 20-year-old Appleton man who was arrested in January and charged with recklessly endangering safety in the second degree

The man has been identified as Godffrey G. Kairu, and the terms of his bond require that he not use electronic dating devices and that he take medication as prescribed by a doctor. His bond was originally set at $50,000 but was reduced this week to $30,000.

If you have had contact with Kairu, the OPD ask that you contact Detective Jeremy Wilson at (920) 236-5732.

The Oshkosh Area School District issued the following statement about cost overruns at the Vel Phillips Middle School.

It continues to be an exciting time for the Oshkosh Area School District and the entire Oshkosh community, with extensive progress being made toward the development of the new northside middle school. In December, the school was officially named the Vel Phillips Middle School and groundbreaking is expected to happen in the coming weeks (Spring 2022). The City of Oshkosh approved the planned development process for the school and the final step before construction can start is getting site plan approval from the City Planning and Engineering departments. The District also completed its first round of secure entrance projects at five school sites during the summer – Carl Traeger Elementary and Middle, Emmeline Cook Elementary, Lakeside Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and South Park Middle.

Like many other industries, the Oshkosh Area School District is overcoming challenges related to supply chain issues, labor shortages and rising construction material costs. While the District was proactive – and even overly cautious – in its approach to construction project planning, it is needing to problem solve in order to work within budget constraints and limited interest from contractors.

Simply put:

The District remains committed to being fiscally responsible while following through on its promises to build for the next 100+ years and prioritize safety. Due to the realities stated above, the District is postponing the secure entrance projects until later in the year and is diverting $4 million of the funds originally slated for those projects to the Vel Phillips Middle School project. The District will also continue to work with Miron Construction and Bray Architects to find areas to save money while still bringing as much value to the project as possible – a process known as value-engineering. This decision will ensure that the Vel Phillips Middle School is equipped to function appropriately for the life of the building. It will also allow all of the secure entrance projects to be rebid and completed, in what is hopefully a more competitive market.

Clearly, the current cost and bid realities are not ideal. However, it is important to understand that the extra costs the District is navigating are not being passed down to the taxpayer. Instead, it is a matter of the District needing to find ways to absorb the higher prices, while not compromising the overall value of any project. However, as reported last year the District was able to secure $17 million in interest savings as a result of its borrowing schedule for this current total referendum project. This interest savings did result in a lower mill rate for taxpayers. The current impact from referendum debt in 2021-22 was $0.36, which was down twelve cents from the pre-referendum estimates of $0.48.

The age-old saying of “timing is everything” continues to be true. As the District navigates many factors that are currently out of its control, it is grateful for the continued support of the Oshkosh community. The OASD is committed to doing what is best for students while investing in schools to positively impact Oshkosh for generations to come.

Stay in the know! Since the voter-approved November 2020 referendum, the District has been hard at work developing plans to address facility needs. Monthly progress reports are published and available on the OASD Referendum webpage, with the goal of creating a shared understanding of the District’s ongoing referendum work.

EAA Winter Flight Fest indoor activities at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh on Saturday, February 12, will continue as scheduled, although the skiplane fly-in portion of the event will be postponed one week because of a lack of snow.

The museum will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., with a variety of family-friendly activities through the facility. All activities are included with regular admission. Those activities include:

o Virtual flight experiences – Soar through the sky via virtual reality goggles

o Wright Flyer simulator – Take the controls of the first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk

o Paper airplane launcher – Fold your best creation and see how it flies

o X-Planes – Create your own X-Plane and test it through various obstacles

o Para-rescue challenge, where kids design a miniature parachute and test it in a wind tunnel

o Indoor model airplane flying – Discover what it takes to build and fly a radio-control model

o Meet Aviore, EAA’s Stan Lee-created superhero, who will sign his comic books

· Airplane model building contest: Open to all ages with no entry fee, with divisions for ages 1-12, ages 13-18, and 19-and-up. Contestants can build their models prior to February 12, but must have their models registered by 1 p.m. Judging begins at 2 p.m., with winners announced immediately afterward.

In addition, EAA is offering a family membership discount for first-time family members of $40, which includes free year-round entry to the EAA Aviation Museum, as well as hundreds of other museums nationwide as part of the Association of Science-Technology Centers’ Travel Passport Program.

The skiplane fly-in portion of the Winter Flight Fest has been reset to Saturday, February 19, at the museum’s Pioneer Airport. If conditions allow the event to take place that day, it will be open to the public at no charge (regular admission will be charged for those also going to the museum).

During a Special School Board Meeting, Wednesday, February 9, the Broward County School Board selected Dr. Vickie L. Cartwright as the new Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), the sixth-largest school district in the nation and second largest in Florida.

BCPS first welcomed Dr. Cartwright as Interim Superintendent on August 2, 2021. Dr. Cartwright has 26 years of experience in public education, having served recently as Superintendent of Schools for Oshkosh Area School District in Wisconsin. She also worked in Orange County Public Schools in Florida for 17 years, including as Associate Superintendent for Exceptional Students Education (ESE), where she oversaw the ESE Department and was responsible for supporting students and leading principals, central office administrators, instructional personnel and classified staff. In addition, Dr. Cartwright’s experience includes serving as a secondary-level school assistant principal and principal, an elementary school music teacher, and a middle and high school band director.

“Thank you to my husband and family, as well as my mentors, especially Dr. Barbara Jenkins from Orange County Public Schools,” said Dr. Cartwright. “I am grateful to our School Board members for their ongoing support. I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure our students are successful and remain the primary focus of our conversations as we become the nation’s greatest school district. Thank you to my staff for their support throughout this process and to all the constituents who participated in the selection process for the next Superintendent. I am humbled. I am honored. I am looking forward to continuing to serve this School District and this School Board. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity.”

The selection of the new Superintendent followed a national search for candidates conducted by an independent executive leadership firm, public surveys, focus groups with stakeholders, opportunities for community members to share input through public comments at School Board meetings, and a Meet the Finalists event that allowed the community to hear directly from the finalists.

“Throughout the process of searching for our new Superintendent of Schools, the School Board sought community input and remained committed to ensuring transparency,” said School Board Chair Laurie Rich Levinson. “Our goal has remained to find the most qualified candidate to lead our schools and maintain our dedication to excellence in education. We are excited to have Dr. Cartwright remain with our District as our new Superintendent.”

Following the Special School Board Meeting, the School Board and Dr. Cartwright held a media briefing, which can be viewed through this link: https://www.eduvision.tv/l?eAgAmgL.

Local writers are invited to share their talents with a wider audience during National Poetry Month in April.

Oshkosh Public Library, in partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), is calling for submissions of original poetry for inclusion in the city’s first April Poetry Walk. All ages can enter up to four poems for consideration by a panel of judges including Oshkosh Poet Laureate Thomas Cannon.

Selected poems will be prominently displayed in storefronts on Main Street during the entire month.

According to Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland, this event is an exciting opportunity to highlight local talent and demonstrate how poetry can bring a community together.

“This initiative encourages people to enjoy the beauty of the written word either solo or with friends and family while also sampling what Downtown Oshkosh has to offer,” Toland said. “We’re excited to be partnering with the BID to champion literacy in a way that’s fun and somewhat unexpected.”

Original entries can be submitted from Mon., Feb. 14 – Mon., Feb. 28 either through the library’s website, at any of the library’s service desks, or mailed to Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54901, ATTN: Sandy T.

Writers whose work is selected to be a part of the April Poetry Walk will be notified by Monday, March 14.

Complete details including rules and an online submission form are located at oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

For more information, please contact Sandy at (920) 236-5206 or email [email protected].

Gov. Tony Evers announced Monday that he has granted another 25 pardons, including to an Oshkosh woman. As previously announced, the governor has granted more pardons during his first three years in office than any other governor in contemporary history. To date, Gov. Evers has granted 416 pardons.

According to a press release, Heidi Tlatelpa was 18 years old when she stole change and electronics from a family residence. Now a devoted mother, she works as a medical assistant at a cancer center in Oshkosh, where she resides.

The Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board heard from applicants virtually on Jan. 14, 2022, and applications that were selected for expedited review or recommended by the Board were forwarded to Gov. Evers for final consideration.

“I’m proud to grant these 25 pardons today to recognize the hard work these folks have done in their communities and lives to make amends and give back to their communities,” said Gov. Evers. “When we re-established the Pardon Advisory Board in 2019, we knew there were many folks worthy of a second chance who simply didn’t have the opportunity to apply for years. Now, we have surpassed more than 400 pardons in less than three years, and I look forward to continuing to continuing this critically important work.”

A team of assessors from the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG), will arrive on February 10th, 2022 to examine aspects of the Oshkosh Police Department’s policy and procedures, management, operation, and support services.

Verification by the team that the Oshkosh Police Department meets the Board’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments via phone. The assessment team, will be available to the public as indicated below:

Public Call-In Session

920-236-5146

Thursday, February 10, 2022

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with WILEAG’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Oshkosh Police Department, 420 Jackson Street, Oshkosh, WI. The Department contact for further information is Professional Standards Lieutenant Matthew Harris at (920) 235-5758 or [email protected].

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Oshkosh Police Department’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write to Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG) at:

WILEAG

P.O. Box 528

Hartland, WI 53029

Comments can also be e-mailed to [email protected].

The Oshkosh Police Department has to comply with as many as 242 standards in order to gain accredited status. The Assessors will review written material, interview individuals, and visit offices and the places where compliance can be witnessed. The Assessors will be:

Team Leader: Brian Uhl – Chief – Ashwaubenon Department of Public Safety

Assessor: Darin Rice – Lieutenant – Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department

Assessor: Jeff Herro – Sergeant – New Berlin Police Department

Once the WILEAG Board’s Assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Board, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.

Accreditation status is granted for four years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, please write to WILEAG at P.O. Box 528, Hartland, WI 53029 or [email protected] or visit their website at http://www.wileag.info.

The Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) is pleased to announce the date of the virtual annual Celebration event, sponsored by Rhyme, at noon on March 2, 2022, to celebrate the 2021 campaign.

This year’s free virtual event will look at the impact made from the generous commitment of workplacecampaigns and individual donor success in your community. We will also reveal the winner of our 2021Eco Sport Sweepstakes, sponsored by Bergstrom Automotive.

“This is an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding game-changers in our area,” Brenda Haines, OAUWCampaign Co-Chair and Co-Owner of Blue Door Consulting stated, “Because of your fighting spirit andthe funds raised, OAUW will be able to continue to bring people together to address the biggest needsin our community and change the game for the most vulnerable.”

Registration is required for this free virtual community celebration and will close on Monday, February28, at noon. Visit oshkoshunitedway.org/communitycelebration to register.

The 2021 campaign funds were awarded to 41 partner programs in the community all working toimprove early education, financial stability and mental health initiatives in the Oshkosh area. For a fulllist of OAUW funded programs, please visit oshkoshunitedway.org/fundedprograms.

This is a statement from the Oshkosh Fire Department.

Last evening, at about 5:30, we were called for a structure fire at 1024 Greenwood Court. The first unit on scene reported heavy fire in the kitchen and dining room area.

The fire was quickly extinguished, but there was extensive damage to the building resulting in 7 people being displaced and 2 cats perishing. The displaced residents were being assisted by the Red Cross.

There was one minor injury to a firefighter due to the icy conditions.

Mutual aid was provided to us by the Town of Algoma, Town of Oshkosh Fire, andVillage of Fox Crossing Fire Departments.

There were no working smoke alarms in the building. This allowed the fire to spreadquickly before being discovered.

The cause of the fire was unattended cooking. This is a good time for a reminder to make sure you stay in the kitchen when you have something on the stove and make sure you have working smoke detectors on each level of your home.

Barbara Herzog of the Oshkosh School Board was elected president of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards on Jan. 19. She is the representative for WASB Region 7 on the 15-member Board of Directors. The region includes 26 east-central Wisconsin school districts.John Ashley, executive director of the WASB, thanked Herzog for her continued service on the Executive Committee.

“Barb has lived out her commitment to public education,” Ashley said. “Her experience as a classroom teacher, building-level administrator and central office administrator in four Wisconsin districts has prepared her well to serve as a school board member and president of the WASB.”

“Her diligence in ensuring that each Wisconsin child has access to a quality education will serve our member school boards and the children they educate.”

Herzog is a voting member of the CESA 6 Board of Control and a member of the WASB Policy and Resolutions Committee. She also chairs the WASB Insurance Trust.

She is also an active community volunteer and serves on the boards of several local nonprofits.Joining Herzog on the Executive Committee are 1st Vice President Rosanne Hahn, a member of the Burlington School Board; 2nd Vice President Mike Humke, a member of the Dodgeville School Board; and Immediate Past President Sue Todey, a member of the Sevastopol School Board.

Herzog will serve a one-year term as WASB president. She was chosen for the role by her fellow members of the Board of Directors on Jan. 19, during the Wisconsin State Education Convention.The WASB is a membership organization representing all 421 school boards and 12 cooperative educational service agency (CESA) boards of control in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards is a nonprofit association that provides information and services to Wisconsin school boards in the areas of school law and policymaking, legislation and leadership development.

Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) said he is pleased with Tuesday’s passage of bills to protect and compensate employees of the Department of Corrections. He issued this statement:

The Probation and Parole Agent Protection Act, AB 90/SB 100, will increase protections for agents and their families. Currently, it is a felony to cause physical harm to an agent, but the bill will expand that penalty to both threats and causing harm to agents and their families. Agents, who often live in the same community as those they supervise, deserve to live in peace without fear of violence to themselves or their loved ones.

Wisconsin prisons are in crisis due to a lack of security staff. Corrections officers and sergeants are routinely forced to work 16-hour shifts day after day. That’s not safe for the inmates or for the staff. You just can’t run any business, certainly not a prison system, with ¼ of the positions vacant. Two maximum security prisons, Columbia and Waupun, have over 48% of the security jobs vacant.

The only way to attract qualified security staff in this economy is to pay a competitive wage. The Department of Corrections pay add-on will provide an additional $2 this year and $5 next year. Let me be clear. AB 828/SB 855 isn’t enough. We will need a significant permanent raise in the next budget.

These state employees deserve our protection. I don’t want to see violence to our Agents or in our prisons. The governor must sign these bills or take responsibility for the results, even possible prison riots.

As chair of the Assembly Corrections Committee and as the representative for the district with the most DOC facilities in my district, I will continue to stand up for the public safety personnel who stand in harm’s way to protect us all.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.

The following person has been released:

EDWARD J. DUGENSKE M/W 04-07-1949 has been released and is residing at 1934 Grove Street #14 in the City of Oshkosh.

The offender was convicted of 1st Degree Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Child Enticement, and 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child. The male victims were known to the offender.

EAA’s annual Hops & Props food and drink tasting event, scheduled for Saturday, March 12, at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, has been canceled. All tickets purchased will be refunded.

“We strive to make this event and all EAA events top-flight experiences, and an unfortunate confluence of circumstances made it impossible to host Hops & Props this year at the level of quality we expect,” said Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman. “That included some of the long-time brewery participants that are no longer in business and major staffing challenges for outside events among other brewers, plus other contributing factors. We will review all these as we look ahead to 2023.”

All tickets that have already been purchased will be fully refunded, via credits on charge and debit cards used for the purchase.

FACE COVERINGS: Effective immediately, the OASD is extending its face covering requirement for all students, staff, and visitors through February 25. The latest modeling and guidance from local health officials point to an expected peak of COVID cases in our area occurring in late January and early February, with a return to COVID levels similar to our December data by late February and early March. Once the surge ends, we expect to be able to implement our optional face coverings protocol.

ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PERIODS: The CDC recently updated their guidance for K-12 schools related to isolation and quarantine. The CDC’s new recommended isolation period was shortened from 10 days to five days for individuals with COVID-19, as long as they are asymptomatic or they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours. The CDC shared that this update was motivated by science, demonstrating that the majority of COVID-19 transmissionoccurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.The OASD will be implementing the CDC’s recently updated and shortened quarantine and isolation guidance for all STUDENTS, effective tomorrow, Tuesday, January 25th.(NOTE: The OASD implemented similar guidance for all staff on January 5.)

Students currently in quarantine/isolation may be able to return earlier under these new guidelines. However, if a parent/guardian thinks that their student’s current quarantine/isolation timeline should be adjusted based on these new guidelines they must reach out to their school nurse and request that it be reviewed.

This decision was made with the understanding that we want students to be able to return to school as soon as possible (as long as they are healthy enough to do so), and that our extended face covering requirement provides additional protection that supports an earlier return at this time. Wearing face coverings upon their return is critical and will be enforced even when the District is face coverings optional.

The updated isolation and quarantine guidelines for students are detailed below and available in the OASD 2021-22 School Year Plan/District Handbook.

Please read the guidelines carefully as they are specific to students in the OASD.Understanding the following key elements of the updated guidelines FOR STUDENTS is critically important:

● Symptom onset will no longer be used to determine the start of the quarantine/isolation period. Day 0 is now the day the positive COVID test was performed. This process ensures consistency and allows us to be as cautious as possible while still getting students back in the classroom as quickly as possible.● Students must be symptom free before they can return to school. If symptoms continue at/beyond Day 5, students must continue to quarantine/isolate until symptom free without the use of medication or through Day 10.

NOTE: There is NO CHANGE to our current quarantine/isolation guidelines for STAFF (updated on January 5). The guidelines for staff and students are similar but not the same. Our staff guidelines allow us to continue to mitigate COVID but also have staff return to work faster so that we can provide in-person learning.

If you have any questions or concerns related to our COVID protocols, please contact Matt Kaemmerer, Director of Pupil Services, at [email protected] or call 920.424.0075.

Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, along with surrounding counties – Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, and Winnebago– are partnering with the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh’s Center for Customized Research and Services to identify the child care needs of area employees.

This collaborative, regional effort will encompass a number of businesses, using a cross-categorical approach to ensure all industries are surveyed. Through environmental scans and independent research and gathering, it has been identified that a major inhibitor for workforce able to return to employment is finding child care providers. In some areas, providers are only operating at 50% capacity because of the lack of child care workers, while other areas have a deficiency of facilities.

Data collection has begun and will continue through the end of January. Data collected will be analyzed and data sets distributed to each respective county for use and future implementation as well as providing supporting evidence for grant applications. Each county looks forward to bringing creative solutions to its respective residents through this proactive initiative.

The businesses chosen to be part of this study were sent the survey link (bit.ly/3nvD7Gg) and hard copies of the survey to share with employees. If you have questions on this survey, please contact Tricia Rathermel at [email protected]

For more information on Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, please visit greateroshkosh.com

Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new board members, Jonelle “Jo” Simon, Amcor Flexibles, and Houa Xiong, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

“Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated team of community leaders committed to providing leadership, stability, and accountability for Oshkosh and the surrounding area,” states Amy Sitter, OAUW Board Chair. “We are thrilled to welcome Jonelle and Houa’s expertise and enthusiasm to continue to change the game for your community.”

Houa Xiong, instructor and Associate Dean at UW Oshkosh, has been working in higher education for the past 21 years in student services and advocacy. She values the opportunity to interact with individuals one-on-one to learn about their interests, skills, abilities, and passions. Houa strongly believes in being visible and meeting people where they are at by role modeling, participating in, and attending many community events. She has also presented at conferences, served in leadership positions for Wisconsin Academic Advising Association (WACADA), and serves as a member of diversity and inclusion initiatives at both UW Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Area School District. As a refugee from Laos, she came to the United States at a young age and grew up in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with her parents, six brothers, and one sister. As a first-generation student, she graduated with her BS in Recreation Management and MS in College Student Development and Administration from UW-La Crosse. She credits her success to her parents, siblings, husband, and countless mentors who helped guide, advocate, and support her throughout her life.

Jonelle “Jo” Simon, Senior Supply Chain Manager at Amcor Flexibles, provides strategic oversight for the development of planning processes for the Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Business Unit. Prior to this role, Jonelle held various positions in Operations and Logistics. Before joining Amcor Flexibles, Jonelle served in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer and a Supply Corps Officer. Jonelle attained her undergraduate degree in mathematics from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. She also holds two Master’s degrees from Keller University including an MBA in Global Supply Chain Management and Project Management. Jonelle is currently working on a PhD from Capella University in business management with a concentration in strategy and innovation.

The Oshkosh Seniors Center (OSC) continues to offer innovative programs to the Oshkosh community. Oshkosh has one of the best Senior Community Centers in the state, and the facility is here to help people over the age of 50 stay active, social, and informed.

On Thursday, January 27, the OSC is partnering with Network Health to offer a Fox Fitness Center Open House at the OSC from Noon to 3 pm so anyone interested can come to check out the state-of-the-art fitness equipment. The afternoon will include equipment demonstrations, door prizes, healthy snacks, and staff will be ready to answer questions from visitors.

Most people plan for their retirement from a financial perspective but are they planning and strategizing on maintaining their physical health? That is where the Center can help. Because after 50 years of age, people start to lose muscle mass, they need to be building strength, working on endurance, flexibility, and balance to age well.

There are many options for fitness, but we believe the Center, where you are among peers, is the best and safest place for older adults. Getting started begins with OSC’s Fitness Coordinator, Alec Jensen, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Human Performance, and over 20 fitness certifications. It does not matter what age or fitness level you find yourself in.

The Center has classes and fitness equipment to help you improve your health and feel better about yourself. Residents are encouraged to develop a strategy to age well that includes a visit to the Oshkosh Seniors Center located at 234 N. Campbell Road, (920) 232-5300. For more information about the Open House, contact Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator, at (920) 236-5306 or email [email protected].

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.Tues., Feb. 1Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Feb. 2 High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Shelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook LiveFri., Feb. 4Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 11

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6 – 12Mon., Feb. 7Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12.Shelf Selected for Kids, 6:30 p.m., Facebook LiveTues., Feb. 8Adult DIY: Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Card, 6 p.m., adultsStories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Feb. 9High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Memory Café: Celebrate the year’s shortest month, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adultsShelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live

Thurs., Feb. 10Genealogy & Local History Acquisitions 2021, 6 p.m., adults

Mon., Feb. 14Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12.Shelf Selected for Kids, 6:30 p.m., Facebook LiveTues., Feb. 15Stories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., preschoolers

Wed., Feb. 16Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11 a.m., ages 1 – 4Wonderlab: A Turtle’s First Year, 4:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9Shelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live

Thurs., Feb. 17Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 – 7 p.m., adultsSat., Feb. 19Meet children’s book author and illustrator Rick Chrustowski, 10:30 a.m., all agesWonderlab: A Turtle’s First Year, 1 p.m., ages 5 – 9Mon., Feb. 21Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12Shelf Selected for Kids, 6:30 p.m., Facebook LiveTues., Feb. 22Winnebago Free Legal Assistance Clinic, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., adultsStories by Starlight, 6:15 p.m., ages 8 and younger

Wed., Feb. 23High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., ages 1 – 4Shelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook LiveMon., Feb. 28Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolersRead to a Dog, 4 – 5 p.m., ages 5 – 12Shelf Selected for Kids, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live

Oshkosh North High School alumnus and Sacramento Kings star Tyrese Haliburton is returning to his alma mater for a jersey retirement ceremony. The event will take place on Friday, January 21 at 8 p.m. in the Oshkosh North Fieldhouse. The free event is open to the public, no tickets or pre-registration required. Face coverings are required per OASD guidelines. The celebration will also be livestreamed, available for viewing on the Oshkosh North Athletics YouTube channel or directly via https://youtu.be/2aNboSW3H7E.

During the event, Haliburton’s #14 Oshkosh North jersey will be retired and Haliburton will be inducted into the Oshkosh North High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Haliburton will address the crowd and the celebration will also feature comments from Oshkosh North coaching staff and Oshkosh leaders.

After two stellar seasons at Iowa State, Haliburton was selected as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by Sacramento. Since joining the team he’s been one of the best rising stars in the NBA, picking up numerous accolades and garnering attention across the nation.

Haliburton and the Sacramento Kings are set to take on the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Saturday, January 22 with a new tip off time of 6 p.m. Before the NBA match-up, the Oshkosh North Boys Varsity Team will play Hortonville at 12:20 p.m. at Fiserv Forum. Playing at the Fiserv Forum is an incredible chance for the team to continue its connection with Haliburton. Anyone who wants to attend the high school game at 12:20 p.m. must have a Bucks/King’s ticket for later that evening to get into the high school game.

The annual Winter Flight Fest will bring family activities, virtual flight simulators, and the popular skiplane fly-in to the EAA Aviation Museum on Saturday, February 12, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The day is designed for all ages and is a family-friendly series of activities through the museum and at its Pioneer Airport facility. Among the highlights included with regular museum admission that day:

· Hands-on family activities:

o Virtual flight experiences – Soar through the sky via virtual reality goggles

o Wright Flyer simulator – Take the controls of the first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk

o Paper airplane launcher – Fold your best creation and see how it flies

o X-Planes – Create your own X-Plane and test it through various obstacles

o Para-rescue challenge, where kids design a miniature parachute and test it in a wind tunnel

o Indoor model airplane flying – Discover what it takes to build and fly a radio-control model

o Meet Aviore, EAA’s Stan Lee-created superhero, who will sign his comic books

· Airplane model building contest: Open to all ages with no entry fee, with divisions for ages 1-12, ages 13-18, and 19-and-up. Contestants can build their models prior to February 12, but must have their models registered by 1 p.m. Judging begins at 2 p.m., with winners announced immediately afterward.

· Skiplane Fly-In: Pilots from throughout the upper Midwest land on the snow-covered airstrip at Pioneer Airport. Museum visitors are welcome to walk among the parked airplanes and discover more about this facet of fun flying. Shuttles will operate from the museum to Pioneer Airport throughout the day. (Pilots who are interested in flying their skiplanes to the event must pre-register by contacting Jeff Toline, EAA’s director of aircraft operations, at [email protected].)

In addition, EAA is offering a family membership discount for first-time family members of $40, which includes free year-round entry to the EAA Aviation Museum, as well as hundreds of other museums nationwide as part of the Association of Science-Technology Centers’ Travel Passport Program.

The holidays were a bit brighter in Oshkosh due to a charity Christmas light display created by 12-year-old Brody Enli. For the past six years, Brody, a 6th grader at ALPS Charter School, has decorated the outside of his family’s home with lights for Christmas. For the third year, he decided to use his talents to raise money for charity. Brody’s Christmas Lights for Charity ran nightly from November 24, 2021 to January 1, 2022, with a musically synchronized light show that Brody created. This year, Brody’s Light Show expanded and included an RGB pixel panel and window outlines that Brody programmed for the show.

This year, Brody’s Light Show, when combining on-site collections with matching funds from Kobussen Buses, Ltd and another local foundation, will be donating $2,759.93 to the Oshkosh Kids Foundation, a local charity who help children of homeless or struggling families find stable housing, successful education, and a post-secondary path to self-sufficient lives.

“I choose the Oshkosh Kids Foundation as my primary charity this year because since I’m a kid, I thought it would be neat to help other kids”, said Brody Enli. In addition, 163 pounds of non-perishable food items were collected at the show to donate to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, and, new this year, Brody started collecting new or gently used children’s books that will be distributed to local agencies through the Oshkosh Area United Way. A total of 477 books were collected to benefit local children.

“It’s amazing how generous people coming to my show were; donating money, food and books. I hope I was able to make people smile watching my light show”, said Brody. In addition to collecting monetary donations for the Oshkosh Kids Foundation throughout the season, Brody partnered with four other area light shows and several local businesses on December 9th – 12th for the second annual Collaboration of Lights event to benefit the Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services of Oshkosh. Collectively, the Collaboration of Lights event raised over $525. Brody and his family delivered the non-perishable food donations to the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry on January 10th. Today, Monday January 17th, Brody delivered the monetary donations to the Oshkosh Kids Foundation and delivered the books he collected to the Oshkosh Area United Way.

Since starting Brody’s Christmas Lights for Charity in 2019, Brody’s efforts have led to the donation of over $8,100 and 1,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to Oshkosh area charities. Brody is excited about growing his Christmas Light Show in the future and spreading holiday cheer, while raising money for charity. He is already making plans for his 2022 Light Show!

On February 10 and 11, the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) will hold special screenings of the documentary, LIKE, in an effort to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts. Each screening will feature a viewing of the film, followed by an informative discussion centered around supporting the mental and emotional health of students.

Having a balanced perspective on how to navigate social media platforms is essential to all parents and educators raising and educating this generation. This take-action, inspiring film is the second installment in the award-winning iNDIEFLIX Mental Health Trilogy, created to entertain, engage and enlighten about issues surrounding mental health.

Research continues to confirm that having your head down, staring at the screen, chasing “likes” and seeking “followers” is the perfect recipe for low self-esteem, isolation and depression, as well as loss of focus and patience. LIKE breaks down why we find social media so irresistible, examines who is controlling who, and gives you the tools to pivot to a more balanced and contented relationship. It features Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, including the co-creator of the ‘LIKE’ button, experts in brain science and regular teenagers. Learn more and watch the film trailer atwww.thelikemovie.com.

The OASD’s first screening will take place on Thursday, February 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Webster Stanley auditorium, located at 915 Hazel St, Oshkosh. The second screening will take place on Friday, February 11 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Alberta Kimball Auditorium at Oshkosh West, located at 375 N Eagle St, Oshkosh. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. All are invited to attend, though the content is geared toward middle and high school students, parents, caregivers, and community members. Limited virtual viewing access isavailable for those unable to attend in-person or during the scheduled days/times. To request virtual access contact Jean Manecke, OASD District SEL Coordinator at 920.424.0170 ext. 4339 or [email protected].

The filmmakers of LIKE inspire kids and teens to consider a life of JOMO (joy of missing out) as opposed to FOMO (fear of missing out). They use their proven 4 E formula: entertainment, empathy, enlightenment, and a heavy dose of empowerment, arming their audiences with easy-to-execute strategies to change their habits that very same day. Research and data is plentiful: happiness surges when we have digital balance, not overload; when we give ourselves time to look at actual trees, animals, and all things nature, as well as interact – however we can– with other humans.

The OASD’s community screenings are made possible through a mental health grant awarded to the District. The OASD will host screenings of “Angst” – a similar film-based education program – in April 2022. To learn more visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/student-services.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) is making temporary changes regarding entry into our adult facilities, in light of increasing COVID-19 cases in our institutions and across Wisconsin.

“Like the rest of the state and nation, Wisconsin DOC has seen positive cases rise sharply in this wave of the Omicron variant of COVID-19,” said DOC Secretary Kevin Carr. “DOC has not seen any corresponding increase in serious illness among people in our care, likely due to a combination of the high vaccination rate in our facilities and evidence that this Omicron variant causes less severe disease. However, we feel making these temporary changes is the best way to protect our staff, those in our care and the communities surrounding our institutions.”

Health experts are predicting infections from the highly-contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 may continue to rise in the coming weeks, and DOC expects numbers in its institutions to increase, as well, in the short term. The agency is reminding all people in its care and staff that vaccination, including boosters, provides the best defense against severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Many health experts also acknowledge the possibility that cases of the Omicron variant could recede as quickly as they increased over the past month. With that in mind, in early February, DOC will review and may lift the suspensions noted below.

Beginning Thursday, January 13, DOC will:

Educational, vocational and treatment programming, including Bureau of Correctional Enterprises operations, conducted by DOC institution staff will continue with protocols related to face coverings and physical distancing remaining in place.

Work release, project crews, community service and off-site education will continue, but DOC will increase rapid testing of those participating to 2-3 days per week upon return to the institution.

The Roe Park Ice Rink will be open daily (conditions permitting) from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (park hours).

The rink is just west of the downtown YMCA at 408 Washington Avenue. Bring your skates and enjoy this free magical winter attraction.

Watch for the special events on the Oshkosh Parks Department Facebook page like this Friday’s (January 14th) Super Hero Night.

During special events and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dr. Eric’s Skate Club will provide skates free of charge, dependent on the availability of volunteers. If you are interested in helping hand out skates, you can sign up at https://tinyurl.com/bdfwmnhy.

Please do not skate on the rink when the posted signs say CLOSED. Skating on poor ice conditions creates more work to smooth it out and makes it more challenging to keep the rink open.

The city of Oshkosh Parks Department, Oshkosh Recreation Department, Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, and the Oshkosh YMCA have teamed up to offer great family special events for the Oshkosh area community.

New in 2022: cross country ski demos will take place on event nights compliments of the Oshkosh Recreation Department in partnership with International Youth Sailing of Oshkosh. Follow the Oshkosh Parks Department Facebook page for updates. For more information about Roe Park Ice Rink, contact the Oshkosh Parks Department at (920) 236-5080.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from anyone who may help us in locating 15-year-old Aliyah L. Tritt. She is 5’2″ tall and weighs 105 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office has been actively investigating this case, reported to us on12/06/21, as a runaway juvenile complaint after she left her home in Winneconne. She was last seenaround 12/05/21 at 8:00 p.m. at her residence on Rozek Road possibly wearing jeans and a white hooded sweatshirt. At the time she left, she took her three cats and prescription medication along with her, leading investigators to believe this was a planned event.

Winnebago County Detectives and Patrol Deputies have followed numerous leads regarding Aliyah’s location but so far none of the leads has been successful in locating her. Investigators believe that Aliyah may have a network of adults who are assisting in concealing her whereabouts. If you are part of this network of adults, please respect the wishes of Aliyah’s family and her status as a juvenile, and contact us. Aliyah has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a runaway.

If you have any time sensitive information regarding Aliyah’s whereabouts please contact the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office at (920) 236-7300 and request to speak with Dispatch. Information that is not time sensitive can be provided to Detective Ryan Hathaway at (920) 236-7377.

In response to current COVID-related challenges, the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) has extended its face covering requirement for all students, staff, and visitors through January 28, 2022. The District also reduced its staff isolation and quarantine from 10 days to five days in certain situations. This change allows the District to use the CDC’s updated evidence-based guidance to continue to mitigate COVID but also have staff return to work faster so that in-person learning can continue.

The District remains committed to student and staff safety, while also doing everything it can to keep students learning in-person.

“Our hope is that these changes will allow us to keep our commitment to in-person learning amid a surge of COVID cases that is making staffing our schools extremely difficult,” explained Dr. Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “Our reality is that significant variables, including staff shortages, substitute availability, and bus driver shortages, impact our ability to remain in-person. While it is our greatest hope that we will not need to move any school to short-term virtual learning due to a critical staff shortage, we want our families and staff to be prepared in case we would need to make that decision.”

Superintendent Davis also released a video message to families.

At this time, there is no change to the District’s required isolation or quarantine periods for OASD students (10-days or 7-days for household contacts). The District is currently awaiting further guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services on how these guidelines should be applied to the student population. “We want to thank our students, staff, and families for their continued support,” stated Davis. “We urge our families to continue to prioritize our safety, as working together continues to be our best path forward.”

The OASD is hiring for multiple positions with immediate start dates and has a continued need for substitute teachers and teacher assistants. Anyone with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in any field can become a substitute teacher. Substitute teacher assistants do not need a degree but should be comfortable working with students with special needs. To learn more, contact the OASD’s substitute coordinator at [email protected] or 920.424.1254. Job seekers can visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/jobs to learn more about open positions and apply.

January is Radon Action Month. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended that all residents test their home at least once for the presence of radon gas. If high levels of radon gas are detected, simple steps can be taken to correct the problem and make your home safe.

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, colorless radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Uranium in rock, soil and water naturally decays and gives off radon.

In Winnebago County, the risk of exposure to radon is higher than other regions in the state. The average radon level for Winnebago county is 6.4 pCi/L, which is greater than the average for the state of Wisconsin and is above the US EPA guideline. Any level at or above 4.0 pCi/L is considered dangerous, and further action should be taken to lower the level of radon.

Both old and new homes are at risk of high radon levels. It can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, openings around joints and pipes, and dirt floors. Radon can build to high levels inside your home, and long-term exposure to these high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. The Surgeon General advises that, after cigarette smoke, exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon combined with cigarette smoke poses an increased risk for lung cancer.

The only way to know if you have a safe level of radon inside your home is to conduct a radon test. The winter months are the best time to test for radon because most homes are tightly closed up. The test is simple and quick. This month, during Radon Action Month, the Winnebago County Health Department is offering do-it-yourself, short-term (48-hour) test kits for five dollars, which is half off the regular cost. The kits may be picked up at the Winnebago County Health Department in Neenah (211 N. Commercial St.) or Oshkosh (112 Otter Ave.), Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Winnebago County Health Department will also be selling radon test kits at the Oshkosh Farmers Market on Saturday, January 8, between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

If elevated radon levels are found, a radon mitigation contractor can be found at www.lowradon.org. Thousands of systems are installed in existing homes in Wisconsin each year. Newly constructed homes should include features recommended by the National Association of Home Builders to reduce radon entry. The cost of mitigation can be a barrier for some families, and residents can call 1-888 LOW-RADON to discuss available options.If you have any questions, or want more information on radon, please contact the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3000, or visit www.lowradon.org.

The Oshkosh Police Department issued alerts Wednesday about the release of two sex offenders into the community. It did so under a provision of state law that “authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.

The police said:

The police also released photographs of Hunt, who was convicted in 2018 of possession of child pornography.

An open house has been scheduled for the public to offer input on a draft housing study for the city of Oshkosh. The purpose of the study is to assess the housing needs of the city of Oshkosh and to provide a strategic plan for meeting those needs. A copy of the draft study is available for review at https://rdgusa.com/sites/oshkosh/.

The openhouse will be held at the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 North Main St., on Monday, Jan. 17th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In April 2021, the City of Oshkosh contracted with RDG Consulting and Design to conduct a city wide housing study. The results of this Housing Study will help elected officials, City staff, stakeholders, private developers and community members discern the local housing market, provide an understanding of key housing issues and how they impact the City of Oshkosh as well as serve as a platform for strategy and policy decisions related to housing in the city. The report is intended to offer a basis for formulating specific housing priorities, policy options, intervention strategies, and allocation of resources.

Staff and the consultants conducted eight listening sessions with community stakeholders and held six Technical Committee meetings during the planning process.

Public input will be integrated into the plan before it is finalized. Staff is tentatively planning on presenting the final plan to Council in March for adoption. The Open House is open to the public. For more information about the housing study or the Open House, please contact Mark Lyons, Planning Services Manager, at (920) 236-5059 or [email protected].

The Oshkosh Fire Department is proud to announce the following promotions that tookplace at yesterday’s Police and Fire Commission.

Lieutenant (Lt) Mike Bryan to CaptainEquipment Operator (EO) CJ Wedell to LtEO Ryan Koplin to LtEO Tony Montag to LtEO Mike Stephens to LtFirefighter (FF) Chris Clark to EOFF Joe Dutscheck to EOFF Ben Schoenborn to EOFF Mike Wos to EO

We would like to congratulate these gentlemen and look forward to working with them intheir new positions.

Long-time Sonex employee and general manager Mark Schaible has purchased the assets of Sonex Aircraft, LLC and Sonex Aerospace, LLC and will continue their operations as owner and president of the newly formed Sonex, LLC.

The Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based kit aircraft, engine, accessories and unmanned aircraft manufacturer is retaining all of the current staff and will seamlessly continue the operations founded by John Monnett in 1998, including fulfillment of all current orders. Monnett will stay-on as a lifetime emeritus advisor as-part of a new Sonex Advisory Board.

“John Monnett is a legendary name in the aviation industry, so I am very humbled and excited to have the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of his achievements and continue to shape the Sonex legacy into the next generation,” remarks Schaible. “This would not be possible without our talented, dedicated staff that really makes our company work. All of us are looking forward to forging ahead in support our great line-up of existing products and to bring new products to market, while striving for continual improvement of our products and processes.”

Long-time Sonex employee and controller/customer service manager/HR manager Heather Zahner will move up to the general manager position for the organization. Zahner, Schaible, and technical support manager and Kitplanes Magazine columnist Kerry Fores each have nearly two decades of experience with Sonex, creating a solid connection to the company’s history. In addition to Monnett, the new Sonex Advisory Board includes original Sonex design partner and Lockheed Martin Senior Fellow Pete Buck, well-known EAA and Sonex alumnus and Sonerai builder Joe Norris, Chilton, WI machine shop owner, Sonex supplier and AirVenture aircraft judging chairman Dave Juckem, and Chad Feucht, a retired Air Force F-16, F-22 and operational test pilot, former Lockheed-Martin and Boeing employee who currently owns and operates a wealth management practice in neighboring Fond du Lac, WI.

“Establishing Sonex Aircraft, Sonex Aerospace and AeroConversions as innovative, affordable performance brands to serve the sport aircraft community has always been my goal,” Monnett said. “Going forward, the very experienced Sonex, LLC team is dedicated to maintaining and growing these high standards of service and innovation for existing and future customers.”

Sonex will continue to serve both the piston and turbine experimental aircraft markets with its current products. In addition, new products and development priorities include:

“Future strength for Sonex will come from innovation and diversity within our product line, as we see great things on the horizon,” Schaible said.

The AeroConversions product line will continue to offer the AeroVee and AeroVee Turbo engine kits along with the AeroInjector and the current line of AeroConversions accessories. Sonex will also seek opportunities to improve and add features to its line of VW-based engine conversions while expanding the line of AeroConversions accessories available to experimental aircraft projects of all brands and types.

Additional diversity will come from Sonex Aerospace, which has been converted from a separate company to become the third major product line of Sonex LLC. This will focus on the rapidly growing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) market as well as other aerospace industry product and service opportunities.

“While our traditional market is stronger than it has been for many years, there is no question that the UAS market is growing exponentially and will continue to do so,” Schaible said.

Sonex was selected in 2015 to develop and build the Teros Group 4/5 UAS because of the company’s reputation in the homebuilt aircraft marketplace. The Xenos Motorglider-based UAS has also evolved and matured tremendously, and Sonex is continuing work with Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation (NASC) to bring the Teros and other UAS systems to full-scale production for government and commercial customers.

For more information about Sonex, LLC and its products and its people, visit our web sites at:

The Oshkosh Police Department is currently investigating an incident in which a deceased male was located in the 2100 Block of S Main Street in the City of Oshkosh.

Officers received information in late morning that a person was lying in some bushes and was not responsive. When Officers arrived on scene, they located this male who was deceased. He has been identified as a 40 year old male from Oshkosh.

His death does not appear suspicious at this time. Investigators from the Oshkosh Police Department and the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate this incident.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 920-236-5723. If you have information about this incident, but wish to remain anonymous, please contact the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477; or through the P3 App.

The city of Oshkosh offers loans and incentives designed to encourage home improvements, home ownership, and investing in eligible Oshkosh housing stock. A strong diverse stock of affordable housing is important to the economic health and quality of life in Oshkosh.

Those who are interested in these types of programs are invited to join an online presentation on Wednesday, January 12 at 6 pm for home buyers/owners OR on Thursday, January 13 at 11:30 am for realtors, bankers, contractors and investors. Presenters will be sharing details on programs such as “Sold on Oshkosh”, a $5,000 grant for a home purchase that is forgivable after 5 years. Or for those who own an eligible property, and want to make improvements to the exterior, they could apply for the “Curb Appeal”, a 10 year loan up to $10,000 at 0% interest.

Additional programs may be found on the City’s website at ci.oshkosh.wi.us/PlanningServices/HousingRehabilitation.aspx. The programs could save participants thousands of dollars! Those attending will hear from a panel of city of Oshkosh Planning staff and Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods about details of the programs, including eligibility requirements. There will be an opportunity to ask questions during this presentation.

Home buyers or owners should plan on attending the free session on January 12th at 6:00 p.m. Realtors, mortgage professionals, investors or bankers should plan on attending the free session on January 13th at 11:30 a.m. Both sessions will be held via WEBEX.

To register for the informational session please contact Anne Schaefer, Marketing and Fund Development Coordinator, [email protected], (920) 232-5306. Please register by January 11th. Those registering will receive a confirmation with a WEBEX invite via email. Media may learn more about the various programs available by contacting Mark Lyons, Planning Services Manager, at (920) 236-5059 or [email protected]. ###

The Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation announces the addition of Kathy Griese to the position of Director of Economic Development. In this role, Kathy will oversee Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) and Access Capital for Greater Oshkosh along with entrepreneurial support and project facilitation. Kathy’s position will encompass business outreach throughout the Greater Oshkosh area as a part of the organization’s regional approach.

“We are delighted for Kathy to join our team and excited to expand upon our business retention and expansion program and outreach within the community,” said Tricia Rathermel, President and CEO of Greater Oshkosh EDC. “Kathy’s background in Business Development and knowledge of Oshkosh makes her a huge asset to our team.” Kathy comes to Greater Oshkosh EDC with extensive experience in accounts management and event production, previous roles include Sr. Business Development Manager with EAA and Sr. National Accounts Manager with J.J. Keller and Associates.

A proud Oshkosh resident and Wisconsin native, Kathy is excited to join the team and impact the greater Oshkosh area. “I am excited to connect with area business leaders and develop programs to assist our businesses and community members.”

Oshkosh real estate and personal property tax bills that were mailed on Friday, December 17th, had a discrepancy under the “Taxing Jurisdiction” section. The printed tax bills did not include the line item for Winnebago County’s portion of the tax bill, even though the Winnebago County portion of the bill IS INCLUDED in the Net Property Tax amount.

Property owners are advised that the amount shown as Total Due is the correct amount. Property owners may view and/or print the online version of the tax bill that does include the Winnebago County line item. Real estate information, including the tax bill, may be found here on the city’s website. Residents without Internet access may visit the Finance Department on the first floor of City Hall, 215 Church Avenue, to request a copy.

“We apologize for the inconveniences that residents are experiencing with their tax bills this year,” said Russ Van Gompel, City of Oshkosh Finance Director. “We’re working through these issues to ensure they don’t happen again.” Residents that received a tax bill duplicate are asked to disregard the duplicate bill. Residents are NOT being double-billed, the duplicate was sent in error.

The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the city’s observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, the city’s yard waste drop-off center located on W. 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) will be closed on Thursday, December 23rd and Friday, December 24th, 2021; and Friday, December 31st, 2021.

The drop-off center will be open at the regularly scheduled time the Monday following each of these holiday closures. Winter hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The drop-off center is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the winter schedule.

The garbage and recycling collection days will remain the same for the weeks of December 20th through 24th; and December 27th through 31st.

Residential curbside Christmas tree collection will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the weeks of January 3rd through January 7th; and January 17th through January 21st, 2022. If you would like more information, please contact the Sanitation Division at (920) 232-5383.

The City of Oshkosh Transportation Department would like to remind residents that because of the city’s observance of the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, there will be no GO Transit service on Saturday, December 25, 2021 and on Saturday, January 1, 2022.

Dec. 24 – City bus service will end early at 5:15 pm. The last trip for Route 10 service to Neenah will be at 3:00 pm. Route 10’s 4:40 pm trip, from the downtown transit center, will go only as far as Jackson Street and Kope Avenue.

Dec. 25 – No bus service.

Jan. 1 – No bus service.

GO Transit’s office will be closed on December 23rd and December 24th, 2021, and on December 31st, 2021.

The city of Oshkosh would like to update residents that approximately 500 real estate and personal property tax bills were sent inadvertently to property owners as duplicates. City staff are currently investigating the error and why it occurred. Residents are NOT being double-billed, the second bill is a duplicate.

If a resident has received a duplicate tax bill, they are asked to please forward their parcel number and address to the following email: [email protected]. The bills were mailed out on December 10, 2021.

As a reminder of their payment options, residents may mail in their tax payments or use the secure drop box outside the main doors of City Hall. Residents are also encouraged to use the online payment option at www.OshkoshBillPay.com. Payments can be made in person at City Hall during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. City Hall is closed on December 23, 24, and December 31.

In addition, the City is designating Community First Credit Union (1492 South Park Ave., 2424 Westowne Ave., and 2772 Oregon St.) and Associated Bank (10 W. Murdock Avenue and 1765 W 20th Ave) as authorized payment locations for in person payments. Tax payments must be made during regular business hours in the credit union and bank lobby.

Individuals are asked to help avoid congestion in City Hall by considering other payment methods before deciding to pay taxes in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please help us to maintain a safe environment for everyone’s good health. In order to be credited with a 2021 tax payment, the payment must be received, paid in person at any location, or placed in the drop box located by the main entrance to City Hall by December 30, 2021.

For more details on property tax payments, please visit https://selfservice.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/mss/citizens/RealEstate/Default.aspx . For property value information, call (920) 236-5070.

Covey — a nonprofit that focuses on creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — is making fleece tie blankets for the Day By Day Warming Shelter.Covey Connects is a program that focuses on connecting adults with disabilities to skill-building classes and an exploration of creative endeavors. A key component to Covey Connects is volunteering. Through helping local organizations, Covey clients gain valuable experience, connect with the greater community and build confidence.

On Wed., Jan. 12, from 3:30 p.m. — 5 p.m. Covey Connects will meet in the Covey offices at 1930 Algoma Blvd. to make blankets for the Day By Day Warming Shelter.

“People underestimate and don’t understand the value our clients bring to our community,” Covey CEO Pam Schutz said. “By working together, this project brings awareness to two groups of marginalized citizens.”

On Wed., Jan. 19, Covey Connects will deliver the fleece tie blankets and take a tour of the Day By Day Warming Shelter at 449 High Ave. in Oshkosh from 2:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m.

“I love that Day By Day is excited to have us,” Covey Director of Community-based Programs Risa Hill said. “They’ve been so welcoming and supportive that they are the ones who suggested we take a tour when we drop off the blankets.”

Covey has been dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families for over sixty years through respite care, skill-building classes and community engagement programs. Covey is a place where everyone is cared about and celebrated through the core values of integrity, inclusion, individuality and imagination. Find out more about Covey at www.covey.org.

The Oshkosh Fire Department has started an innovative program to help decrease the number of falls by older adults in Oshkosh. “Mugs for Rugs” allows residents to bring one or more throw rugs (4 x 6 feet or smaller) to a participating location where they may exchange rugs for a free mug. Participating coffee shops will then fill the mug for free, each time the customer visits.

The Oshkosh Fire Department has seen an escalation of EMS calls that are related to falls. Recent data reflects that approximately 20% of Oshkosh EMS calls are fall related. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults 65 and older, most often occurring in the home and more specifically in the bedroom and bathroom. Throw rugs contribute to many of these falls. Oshkosh Fire Chief Mike Stanley said, “Mugs for Rugs will help older adults to be safer at home and avoid falls. As our population ages, it’s critical for us to find ways to improve the health of our older adults and their ability to remain independent.”

The Mugs for Rugs initiative received a $1000 grant from the Ladies Benevolent Society of Oshkosh, and mugs were donated by 4imprint. Local business partners include Caramel Crisp Corner, Mike’s Place Family Restaurant, New Moon Café, Pilora’s Café, and Planet Perk Coffee Houses. The Oshkosh Seniors Center is also participating.

Residents may turn in as many rugs as they want within the 4’ x 6’ size limit, in exchange for one mug. For more information about this program, contact John Holland, Oshkosh Fire Department Public Information Officer, at(920) 236-5249.

The Oshkosh community is invited to join Communities at Oshkosh North for a letter-signing event benefiting people from around the world facing human rights abuses. The Communities at Oshkosh North program is partnering with Amnesty International to host this event. The event will take place on Monday, December 20, 2021 in the Jesse Hooper Auditorium from 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Those interested can visit the high school between these hours, enter via Door #7, parking will be available in the West Lot (1100 W Smith Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901).

The Write for Rights event calls attention to the harassment and jailing of young people and to call on governments to protect their rights. The Communities students will be showcasing 10 current cases. The students from Communities will explain the particular case, ask you to sign a prepared letter and they will send the letters directly to the countries involved. This event is just one of thousands that will be carried out throughout the United States and countries worldwide.

Write for Rights is the world’s largest human rights letter-writing event. Every year around Human Rights Day on December 10th, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide write letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, and others at risk of human rights violations.

Letters have the power to change lives, and throughout Amnesty International’s 60 years of human rights activism, many people have been freed because of the action taken by activists who participate in Write for Rights. Letters and online actions taken by activists have given former prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, torture survivors, and death row prisoners hope and helped change the minds of decision-makers.

Cozy up and read this winter for a chance to earn prizes at Oshkosh Public Library. The library’s Wild Winter Read Off program is open to all ages and runs from Dec. 20 to Feb. 26.

Collect virtual badges, track stats, and discover new reads on the free Beanstack app or bylogging into oshkoshpubliclibrary.beanstack.org and creating an account.

For readers who would prefer to track their progress on paper, printed logs are available at anyof the library’s service desks.

Adults can earn items from the library’s used bookstore. Teens will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Visa gift card. Children are eligible for two prize wheel spins for new toys and games.

This year the library is challenging the Oshkosh community to achieve a collective reading goal.If Wild Winter Read Off participants log more than 300,000 reading minutes as a group, the library will give out Hip Pop Hooray goody bags on March 5.

This giveaway event is sponsored by Caramel Crisp Corner, OshPop Gourmet Popcorn, and NewMoon Café.

For information about the Wild Winter Read Off and other library programs and services, visitoshkoshpubliclibrary.org or call Information Services at (920) 236-5205.

Persistent challenges stemming from COVID-19 remain, but according to First Business Bank’s annual survey, business executives in the Northeast Wisconsin area and around the state are feeling optimistic about what lies ahead.

The Business Statistics & Trends Survey received responses from 305 business leaders in Northeast Wisconsin, Southeast Wisconsin, Greater Dane County, and Kansas City Metro. It was completed amid ongoing recovery efforts that were undermined by this summer’s pandemic resurgence.

Despite this, 46% of survey respondents across all markets reported better-than-projected results in 2021, and 20% said their businesses performed worse than projected.

The business climate in Northeast Wisconsin experienced major improvements in 2021. The percentage of survey respondents whose overall business performance fell short of expectations dropped steeply from 43% in 2020 to just 16% this year, while 51% did better than expected (up 15 percentage points over the previous year).

Performance below expectations was largely attributed to a supply and talent shortage, as well as higher operating costs. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was the top reason for better-than-expected performance, followed by increased prices, with improved internal efficiencies a distant third. Diversifying client base was the top strategy implemented in 2021, which is expected to continue in 2022. Companies are also favoring strategies that entail investments in leadership training and expanding the workforce.

“Finding strong talent continues to be a challenge in Northeast Wisconsin, but with all metrics expected to improve, businesses have good reason to feel that they will stay on track to meet their goals next year despite persistent issues,” said Rick Hearden, President of First Business Bank’s Northeast Wisconsin Market. “It’s no secret that we’re still in an unusual business cycle. Companies that cross-train their employees to improve their professional dexterity and stay creative in their approach to innovation will be better positioned to succeed.”

Sales & Profitability

In 2020, the same percentage of companies reported an increase in sales as a decrease in sales (38%). The situation improved dramatically in 2021, as just 13% saw a sales decrease while 72% reported higher sales.

Big year-over-year swings are also noted in profits. About one-quarter of respondents (23%) in Northeast Wisconsin businesses reported lower profits (down from 40%) and 58% increased profitability (up 20 percentage points from the previous year).

Hiring & Wages

Although 24% of respondents reported a workforce reduction and 12% a wage reduction in 2020, those figures were cut by around half this year — 13% saw workforce decreases and a mere 5% reported lower wages. At 48%, workforce increases were up 28 percentage points from 2020, and wage increases jumped 29 percentage points to 79%.

Expectations for 2022

The reported outlook for 2022 and beyond is quite positive. Overall, 70% of survey respondents expect their businesses to perform better in 2022 than in 2021 and 24% expect the same performance next year. Only 6% expect worse performance.

Looking ahead, 6% expect lower profits in 2022 and 65% project an increase in profits — both of which reflect improvement over the previous year. Respondents also expect this year’s trends in hiring and wages to continue in 2022, with increases in those metrics expected at 69% and 79%, respectively.

Other notable statistics include:

Get your copy of First Business Bank’s full Business Statistics & Trends Report and watch the related video presentation prepared by Nancy Johnshoy, Senior Vice President – Portfolio Manager & Market Strategist.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office (Wisconsin) has identified the remains of the man that were discovered by a citizen on April 29, 2015. This discovery occurred near where a set of railroad tracks cross County Road GG in the Town of Vinland. While a thorough investigation occurred in 2015 and beyond, the identity of the male remained unknown until recently.

The man has been identified as Roland D. Klug (born in 1949) of Oshkosh. Mr. Klug was a veteran who served in the Vietnam War and was originally from the Waupun area.

The identification was made in large part with the assistance of Othram Inc. of Texas. Othram Inc. isa private DNA laboratory that utilizes a proprietary method called Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to process forensic evidence. They were instrumental in the recent identification of “Escatawpa Jane Doe” who was believed to be one of the earlier victims of the notorious serial killer Samuel Little.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office sent biological material from the unidentified man discovered in the Town of Vinland to Othram Inc. in order to generate a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. It was the hope that this profile would help identify the man or a close family member. This profile was then used to search for distant relatives of the deceased person.

Once a potential genealogy link was uncovered, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office contacted thefamily and acquired familial DNA Standards for comparison and eventually the identification wasconfirmed.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office,Othram Inc., and Dr. Jordan Karsten at UW Oshkosh, for their help in identifying Mr. Klug.

The city of Oshkosh has selected Jessi Balcom as its next City Clerk. In her new position, Balcom will oversee the City Clerk’s Office, which is responsible for elections, the issuance of city licenses, and maintaining legislative records for the Oshkosh Common Council.

“We are pleased Jessi Balcom will be our next City Clerk,” commented City Manager Mark Rohloff. “Ms. Balcom has broad experience in local government, and has been a valuable member of the Public Works department for the past 2 years. I am confident that she will excel in her new role with the city.”

Balcom has been a Management Analyst in the City’s Utility Division since July 2019. Prior to that, Balcom was the Village Administrator for the Village of Slinger for 6 years, and was previously with the Village of Elm Grove as a Zoning and Planning Administrator. Overall, Balcom has over 15 years of municipal experience in various roles. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

“I am excited to move into the City Clerk position and am looking forward to the many opportunities I will have to work with the residents, City Council, city staff, and our community partners. Oshkosh is a wonderful place to live, work and play and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it,” said Balcom.

Balcom will begin her duties as City Clerk on January 4, 2022. She will be replacing current City Clerk Pamela Ubrig, who retires on January 3, 2022 after 41 years of service with the city.

Today, Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) issued the following statement condemning a Republican-sponsored joint resolution calling for the criminal prosecution of multiple election officials:

“Calling for the criminal prosecution of election officials is appalling and dangerous. Wisconsin Republicans have been far too complacent in tolerating extremism within their ranks, and this is the most dangerous iteration to date.

“Every Republican lawmaker in Wisconsin should reject this alarming idea publicly and loudly. Additionally, they need to make clear whether they accept the results of the 2020 election. At this point, silence equates to an embrace of criminal prosecution of election officials and anti-democracy rhetoric.”

Verification by the team that the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office meets the Board’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence, he said.

As part of the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to offer comments by telephone. Phone calls can be made to the assessment team between the hours of 11:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M. on Dec. 15th, 2021. The number for the non-recorded line is (920)236-7327.

Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with WILEAG’s standards. A copy of the standards is available at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, 4311 Jackson St., in Oshkosh. The Sheriff’s Office contact for further information is Lt. Darin Rice, (920)236-7341.

Persons wishing to offer written comments about the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office ability to meet the standards for accreditation are requested to write to Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, WILEAG at WILEAG at P.O. Box 528, Hartland, WI 53029.

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office has to comply with 242 standards in order to gain accredited status, Sheriff Matz said. “Accreditation requires timely and consistent external review of policies, procedures, and protocols by other like-minded law enforcement professionals. This systemic analysis is a cornerstone for improving the services that law enforcement agencies provide. The process ensures that policy manuals are living, breathing documents and that accredited agencies are adhering to the high expectations enumerated in standards”.

The Accreditation Manager for the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is Lt. Darin Rice. He said the assessment team is composed of law enforcement practitioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written material, interview individuals, and visit offices and the places where compliance can be witnessed. The assessors are: Chief Mark Furguson (Glendale P.D.), Team Leader; Chief Curt Kleppin (Thiensville P.D.), and Analyst Windy Jicha (Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office).

Once the WILEAG Board’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Board, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status, Lt. Rice stated.

Accreditation status is granted for three years, during which time the agency must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance with those standards under which it was initially accredited.

For more information regarding the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group, please write to WILEAG at P.O. Box 528, Hartland, WI 53029 or [email protected]

To keep students learning in person amid a continued rising level of COVID-19 cases, the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) will continue to require all students, staff and visitors to wear face coverings inside all District buildings through Friday, January 7.

“We remain committed to providing in-person instruction for our students for the 2021-22 school year in a healthy and safe environment,” said Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “The increased availability of the COVID vaccine for all children ages 5 and up is certainly encouraging, and has become one of our greatest mitigation efforts amid the ongoing pandemic. With that understanding, we remain cautiously optimistic about our ability to safely modify our masking requirement in the new year.”

Superintendent Davis also released a video message to families.

Vaccinations are currently available for anyone age 5 and older at local clinics and listed on the Winnebago County Health Department’s website at wcvaccine.org//vaccination-sites. Additionally, the District’s second follow-up vaccine clinic is happening on December 7 at Shapiro STEM Academy (LEARN MORE). Community opportunities include Walk-In Wednesdays at Sunnyview Expo Center (500 E. County Road Y) from 1 to 6 p.m. each Wednesday (no appointment necessary), as well as options at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Pick n’ Save, and Hometown Pharmacy.

Davis, Director of Pupil Services Matt Kaemmerer, and other administrators continue to work closely with families, community members, principals, activities coordinators, Center for Disease Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Winnebago County Health Department, health care professionals and area school districts.

The District review process will be ongoing throughout the school year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. Mitigation measures including, but not limited to: continued face covering requirements, extended quarantines, event capacity limits and increased sanitization protocols, may be put in place during the year to allow students to stay in schools safely.

A free pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic is being held on December 4 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, located at 700 W. Linwood Avenue, Oshkosh (map). The goal of the clinic is to increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations to the Oshkosh community.

This family-friendly clinic will offer first and second doses and booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine. Adults and children, ages 12 and up, are welcome to receive a shot, but all minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Information for subsequent doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be provided.

“As yet another new variant threatens the health and safety of so many just before the holidays, it’s important to be able to provide access to anyone looking to receive a vaccine right here, in a setting familiar to so many in our community,” explained Pastor Russ Frees with First United Methodist Church in Oshkosh.

The clinic will be hosted by First United Methodist Church-Oshkosh, Wisconsin Council of Churches Community Health Program, Partnership Community Health Center and the Multicultural Coalition, Inc. with supporting community sponsors Ascension, Piña Limón, Casa Hispana, Advocap, Pointters Community Initiatives, Northeast Wisconsin (N.E.W.) Hmong Professionals and Red Shoes Inc.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is pleased to announce a mid-year enrollment period for its eAcademy – a tuition-free virtual school for K-12 students. Any K-12 student can enroll in the District’s eAcademy for the 2021-22 second semester from now until December 10, 2021, at 3 p.m. Families interested in enrolling in this exceptional, local virtual school option are encouraged to learn more and complete an eAcademy application, available on the OASD website at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/school-curriculum/oasd-eacademy or call 920.424.0395.

While similar to other virtual school options – state- and nation-wide – the OASD’s K-12 eAcademy offers access to valuable local opportunities and resources that other virtual schools do not. “The OASD’s eAcademy provides students and families with access to an exceptional education, virtually, as well as access to valuable local opportunities and resources,” explained Julie Conrad, OASD Director of Curriculum and Assessment. “Students enrolled in the OASD eAcademy are able to participate in OASD co-curricular activities and athletics, receive an OASD digital device, work with OASD teachers, access OASD student support services, and receive their diploma from Oshkosh North or Oshkosh West high school upon completion of graduation requirements.”

The OASD has been a local leader in virtual school options since 2010, aiming to provide students with the opportunity to receive a high-quality Oshkosh education through personalized digital learning. In recent years the District expanded eAcademy to include a full-time option for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The OASD’s eAcademy is partnered with the Wisconsin eSchool Network, which is a collaborative network of online programs throughout the state of Wisconsin. The program has been developed in collaboration with online learning experts and is based on years of research and best practices for excellence in virtual learning. Students who participate in the OASD eAcademy enjoy all the benefits of being an OASD student, including earning an OASD high school diploma and participating in extracurriculars, while receiving a customized, student-centered education that meets individual educational and social needs.

The Oshkosh Police was awarded national accreditation on November 23, 2021 by the Commission onAccreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. OPD was first accredited by CALEA in 1994. The Oshkosh Police Department is the only municipal law enforcement agency in the state of Wisconsin that is nationallyaccredited by CALEA.

CALEA assessors verify that OPD meets specific professional standards and uses the best practices in law enforcement. Assessors reviewed a multi-year self-assessment phase and conducted a meticulous virtual site-based assessment of community engagement, policy, procedures, equipment and facilities. Each agency being reviewed, goes before CALEA’s 21-member Board of Commissioners where the commission reviews all findings anddetermines the agencies’ accreditation status.

In 1979, the Commission was created through the combined efforts of four major law enforcement organizations; the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Sheriffs’ Association and the Police Executive Research Forum.

The purpose of the Commission is to develop standards based on international best practices in public safety, and to establish and administer the accreditation process. The accreditation process is how a public safety agency voluntarily demonstrates how it meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery. Some of the benefits of participation in CALEA accreditation are: increased communityadvocacy, staunch support from government officials, stronger defense against civil lawsuits, reduced risk and liability exposure and greater accountability with the agency.

“This award of accreditation does not come easy,” said CALEA President Anthony Purcell, Chief of Police, University of Alabama at Birmingham Police Department. “Agencies must go through a rigorous review and evaluation of their organization and then implement the necessary policy and procedure changes. The process does not stop at that point. By voluntarily choosing to seek CALEA accreditation, the agency commits to an ongoing review of adherence to CALEA’s standards. Each community with CALEA accredited agencies should feel confident that their public safety organization is going above and beyond and operating under the highest standards in public safety.”

We want to thank all of our community members that participated in our CALEA accreditation process. We appreciate all of your continued support for our agency.

The Winnebago County Health Department’s Walk-in Wednesday COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic, at Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh, will be closed on Wednesday, November 24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The COVID-19 testing site at Sunnyview Expo Center will also be closed on Thursday and Friday this week.

The COVID-19 vaccine continues to be the best tool to protect against infection, serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The vaccine is currently approved for anyone five and older, and boosters are recommended for everyone 18 and older at least six months after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna and two months after a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

A complete list of vaccination clinic locations in the area can be found at www.wcvaccine.org or by calling the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026. If you are feeling sick or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, there are several ways to get tested for the virus. Contact your doctor or pharmacy to ask if they provide testing. If testing is not available, visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org to find a free community testing site. Free at-home collection kits are also available at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/collection.

Testing will resume at Sunnyview Expo Center on Monday, November 29. Walk-in Wednesday Vaccine Clinics will resume on Wednesday, December 1; the clinic is open to anyone five and older, and booster and additional doses will be available. For questions, please call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026 or visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org.

While the elections for local school boards, County Board of Supervisors, and city, village, and township boards are not until February 15 (Primary, if needed) and April 5 (General Election), the time for those interested in becoming a candidate is now!

The election season opens on December 1, 2021, when candidates can begin circulating nomination papers.As a way to help those interested in serving their communities as elected officials, LWV of Winnebago County has compiled a “one stop shop” of information with links to the necessary paperwork, forms, and guidelines.

Prospective candidates can find the LWV document, “How to Run for Office: Spring 2022” on the League’s website (lwvwinnebago.org), Facebook page (LWV of Winnebago County), or by emailing the League at [email protected].

While the League believes all of this information is correct and up to date, candidates are also given information about who their filing officer is, and they are advised to double check the information provided with the appropriate filing officer.

Candidates can file for candidacy and begin circulating nomination papers as early as December 1, 2021. These must be turned in to the filing office for the respective public office no later than 5 pm on January 4, 2022.

Other forms and paperwork, including campaign finance documents, must be completed and submitted by the required due date outlined in the materials. Candidates who will appear on Spring 2022 ballots may be invited to participate in a live or virtual candidate forum. Forums usually take place when there is a contested race (two or more candidates vying for the same seat).

Additionally, all candidates will be invited to participate in the online voter guide, Vote411.org. This guide allows voters to search by their address to see who is on their ballot, and allows them to read candidate responses to questions posed by the League.

Vote411 and candidate forums are in keeping with the League’s mission of ensuring that everyone eligible to vote is registered and informed.

The League of Women Voters neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties. Learn more at lwvwinnebago.org and follow us on Facebook@LWVWinnebagoCounty.

Students within the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) continue to grow despite two school years of pandemic learning. The District earned an overall accountability score of “Meets Expectations” on the State Accountability Report Card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the 2020-2021 school year. The District just missed the “Exceeds Expectations” rating by 0.1 points. However, the District is pleased to announce that all OASD elementary schools meet, exceed, or significantly exceed expectations. Additionally, OASD middle and high schools are continuing to demonstrate strong performance, focusing on student growth. This recognition is a testament to the efforts of the entire District, school leaders, teachers, and staff members, as well as the incredible work and growth of OASD students and families.

The Oshkosh Area School District received an overall score of 69.9, which is a slight decrease from the 2018-2019 school year when it received a 72.4. The Accountability Report Card was last released in the fall 2019; the reporting requirements were suspended for the 2019-20 school year due to the impacts of COVID-19. The report card for districts and schools includes data on many indicators for multiple years across four priority areas: Student Achievement, District Growth, Target Group, and On-Track and Postsecondary Success. The District continues to make strong gains in the area of “District Growth,” where it scored 73.6 out of a possible 100 points, compared to the state average of 66.0 points.

“In the OASD, we emphasize growth goals and as we continue to navigate the ongoing pandemic this focus has become even more critical,” stated Julie Conrad, OASD Director of Curriculum and Assessment. “We are committed to Students First and ensuring that every student grows. Our performance on multiple achievement measures shows promising results, and we are proud of the progress and resiliency our students and our schools have shown. We also know that these report cards are simply one measure of our success. As a District, we are constantly evaluating and monitoring our efforts to ensure that we are providing all students with the opportunities and skills needed to be college, career, and community ready. We will continue to meet the needs of all students and raise our own expectations every year.”

Highlights from the recently released District and School Report Cards for the OASD include the following items.

Each school within OASD also received a report card from the State. The state-issued Accountability Report Cards for schools and districts were released on the DPI website (https://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards) on November 16, 2021, and are organized alphabetically by district name. Serving as an accountability system for schools and districts, the report cards measure each schools’ results of the Wisconsin Forward Exam, along with attendance rate, graduation rate, and performance on ACT Aspire as well as the ACT for high schools. Using numerous formulas and data sources, the state assigns a score and category for each school and district overall. In addition, a score for student achievement, student growth, target group and postsecondary readiness is given. The intention is for schools to use this information to identify areas for improvement and set goals for the future.

OASD administrators and professional staff have been examining school-level data and state assessment results to determine where instruction for students needs to be adjusted and enhanced.. This year, many schools in the OASD saw consistency in their report card ratings as a result of previous school improvement planning, response to unfinished learning due to the pandemic response, and district-wide continuous improvement efforts. School improvement planning in the OASD continues to focus on academics, as well as the social and emotional growth of each student.

“Students and schools are more than a single test or number,” explained Conrad. “That, along with the reality that COVID has impacted us all differently highlights the importance of focusing on the unique needs of each of our school communities. With this in mind the OASD will continue to use assessment scores as one tool to help identify areas of strength and need for improvement, so that all students achieve their full potential.”

For more information, please click on the links below.

The city of Oshkosh Sanitation Division would like to remind residents that due to the city’s observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no garbage or recycling collection on Thursday, November 25, 2021.

Collections for the remainder of the week will be one day later. Garbage and recycling collection scheduled for Thursday, November 25 moves to Friday, November 26.

Garbage and recycling scheduled for Friday, November 26 moves to Saturday, November 27. Regular services will resume on Monday, November 29.

Additionally, the city’s yard waste drop-off center located on W. 3rd Avenue (between Idaho Street & Ohio Street) will be closed for the holiday on Thursday, November 25. The drop-off center will re-open on Friday, November 26. The yard waste drop-off center will also be open on Saturday, November 27.

Winter hours for the yard waste drop-off center will be in effect from December 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022. The winter hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, the drop-off center is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the winter schedule. Residential curbside brush collection for December will take place on the regularly scheduled garbage collection day the week of December 6 through December 10.

GO Transit’s bus service will not be operating on Thursday, November 25th, 2021, because of the city’s observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. GO Transit’s office, located at 926 Dempsey Trail, will also be closed on November 25th. Regular GO Transit operations will resume on Friday, November 26th.

The Oshkosh Police Department investigated an incident in the 400 block of North Main Street.

On 11/13/2021, the Oshkosh Police Department was called for the report of an armed suicidal male in the 400 block of N. Main Street. The Oshkosh Police Department immediately started an investigation into this complaint.

The incident involved a 22 year old male who was suicidal and had a handgun. The 400 Block of North Main street was cordoned off, the businesses that were in operation were evacuated or locked down and Officers negotiated with the subject. After a short standoff the subject surrendered the handgun and was taken into custody peacefully. There is no further danger to the public from this incident.

A thorough investigation of the incident is under way. We appreciate everyone’s patience in our community while we complete this investigation.

The Oshkosh West High School (OWHS) Distinguished Alumni Committee is pleased to announce that it is accepting nominations for its 2022 OWHS Distinguished Alumni Award. Nominations will be accepted through November 30, 2021. The nomination form is available online via the following link: tinyurl.com/6pg5mgw. Additional information is also available in the Oshkosh West High School online newsletter oshkosh-west-high.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/.

The purpose of the OWHS Distinguished Alumni Award is to recognize outstanding alumni of Oshkosh West High School who have maintained a high standard of excellence and distinguished themselves through their work, personal accomplishments, or in the lives of others. These individuals exemplify the values of Oshkosh West High School and should be held as role models for current and future Oshkosh West students.

Through this award program, Oshkosh West is able to honor a variety of individuals who have excelled in their professions, are role models, and/or provide leadership to students. The 2022 recipient will be recognized during a special ceremony at Oshkosh West High School. Each year, the ceremony is structured around the desires of the award recipient. Past recipients have addressed the student body with powerful messages about their success and how they achieved what they did in life.

For additional information, please contact Cory Beaulieu, Oshkosh West High School Assistant Principal at [email protected] or Justin Hable, Oshkosh West High School Spanish Teacher at [email protected].

The Oshkosh community is one step closer to naming its new public middle school, slated to open in Fall 2023. Students, families, staff members, and interested Oshkosh community members are invited to cast their vote for one of three finalists, selected based off of previous community submissions. The final naming survey will close at Noon on Monday, November 22, 2021. The survey link (www.surveymonkey.com/r/635BQ88) is available on the District’s referendum webpage at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum.

The OASD School Board’s Facilities and Finance Committee is tasked with naming the school and is committed to engaging the community in the process. Future and current students, parents/guardians, school staff, and the community were invited to submit initial naming suggestions through an open-ended survey in October. The Facilities and Finance Committee and district administration reviewed the survey responses and themes. Based on the feedback provided, they decided to move forward with naming the new middle school after a person of historical importance to Oshkosh and/or Wisconsin, narrowing the choice down to three individuals: Jessie Jack Hooper, Paul H. Poberenzy, or Vel Phillips. The OASD School Board and its Facility and Finance Committee invites the public to learn about the individuals and vote on who they support naming the new middle school after.

Jessie Jack Hooper (1865 – 1935) was an American activist and Suffragist. Hooper served on the executive board of the National American Woman’s Suffrage Association and worked to pass the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, giving women the vote. Hooper served as the first president of the Wisconsin League of Women Voters and made history as the first woman to run for one of Wisconsin’s seats in the United States Senate in 1922.

Paul H. Poberezny (1921 – 2013) was an American Aviator, military veteran, aircraft designer, and entrepreneur. Interested in aviation from a young age, Poberezny’s first aircraft as a teen was a glider. He served in the Air Force in World War II and the Korean War and the Wisconsin Air National Guard in an over 30-year military career. Poberezny dedicated his life to aviation and the promotion of homebuilt aircraft, founding the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and EAA AirVenture annual fly-in in Oshkosh, WI. Vel Phillips (1924-2018) was a civil rights leader, legal pioneer, and philanthropist. Phillips was the first African American woman to attend and earn a law degree from the University of Wisconsin’s Law School. In addition, Phillips was the first woman and African American to be elected to the Milwaukee Common Council, was Wisconsin’s first African American Judge when appointed in 1971, and served as Wisconsin’s first woman and non-white Secretary of State for two terms.

“This is an exciting time for our entire community,” stated Bryan Davis, OASD Superintendent of Schools. “We look forward to working together with families and the public to not only name our new middle school, but continue on our path of creating innovative learning environments for our students and ensuring our District is future-focused.”

The new middle school will be located adjacent to the current Merrill Middle School site on the corner of Kentucky Street and Nevada Avenue. Slated to open for the 2023-24 school year, it will feature state-of-the-art spaces and resources. Once open, this new middle school will become home to students currently enrolled at Merrill and Webster Stanley middle schools.

The new middle school is one component of the first phase of the District’s long-range facilities plan, which received voter support through the success of the District’s 2020 capital referendum. To learn more visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving 10,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

The city of Oshkosh Finance Department, including Utility Billing and Collections, will be closed to the public on Thursday, November 18, 2021 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm for a staff meeting and in-service training.

The public is asked to schedule transactions at other times during the day on November 18th. Collections and Utility Billing will be available to assist customers from 8:00 to 11:30 am and then again from 1:00 to 4:30 pm.

If a transaction can only be made from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, a drop box in front of City Hall can be utilized. The Finance Department appreciates your cooperation and understanding during this brief period of inconvenience. The timing of the meeting and training was established to create the minimal amount of disruption in normal service. For more information, please contact the Finance Department at (920) 236-5005.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is partnering with the Winnebago County Health Department to host on-site COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-in Clinics for families with children ages 5-11.

Clinics will take place Monday, November 8 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Oaklawn Elementary School and Tuesday, November 16 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Shapiro STEM Academy.

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available. Follow-up clinics to distribute the second Pfizer dose will take place November 29 at Oaklawn and December 7 at Shapiro.

The OASD is committed to improving access to the COVID-19 vaccine and providing families with an easy way to get their child(ren) vaccinated if they so choose. The onsite vaccine clinics are open to any OASD students age 5-11, as well as their immediate family members. Children under 18 must have a parent/guardian present and parent/guardian-signed consent form.

No appointment, identification, or insurance required. Families accessing the clinic will be directed to a limited number of individual office locations for privacy. About 120 doses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those accessing the vaccine clinics are asked to arrive no earlier than 3:30 p.m. once the school day has ended and traffic is reduced.

Parking is available in the main parking lots.

A consent form should be completed in advance and is available online at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/covid-vaccine-outreach.

Individuals cannot be vaccinated at this clinic if they have had an observed allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction) to any injectable medication or vaccination, OR if they have received any vaccine (including the flu vaccine) within the last 14 days.

Families are also encouraged to reach out to their pediatrician or take advantage of vaccine availability within the Oshkosh community, including Walk-In Wednesdays at Sunnyview Expo Center (500 E. County Road Y) from 1 to 6 p.m. each Wednesday (no appointment necessary).

The public is encouraged to utilize the city of Oshkosh’s improved “Osh-Buy” online auction website for opportunities to bid on surplus city equipment, furniture and other items. The website has been updated with new features and is online today, Monday, November 1.

The site is also open for new user registrations on its improved platform. The Osh-Buy website has been selling city of Oshkosh surplus items since 2012.

“We want to thank the Purchasing and IT staff for the improvements in making the new Osh-Buy site more user-friendly and responsive,” said General Services Manager Jon Urben. “While these items may no longer serve the city, they may be of value to the public – and the updated Osh-Buy website facilitates these sales in a very cost-effective and efficient manner.”

New features on Osh-Buy include:

Beginning today, November 1, Osh-Buy is accepting bids for security cameras, desktop computers, and other equipment. The inventory up for bid will be constantly changing. All Osh-

Buy items are sold in as-is condition. The bidding terms and pictures of current items will be

accessed by visiting the city’s website, www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us, and clicking on “Osh-Buy” under

the “Services” tab at the top.

For more information about Osh-Buy, please contact the General Services Division at (920) 236-5100.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) Education Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit helping teachers tap into a network of donors to support classroom projects and more seamlessly align with district strategy and operations.

Oshkosh’s first-ever, district-wide Boost the Classroom campaign kicked off today, Nov. 1, 2021 and will run through February 2022 with the goal of funding all of the project requests put forth by OASD teachers. Through DonorsChoose, individuals are able to donate directly to classroom projects – helping to bring innovative requests to life. Current OASD teacher projects are available on the OASD’s DonorsChoose webpage. To learn more and make a donation visit

Did you know that 96% of OASD teachers surveyed have reported paying anywhere from $50 to $1,000 out of their own pocket for school supplies every year? DonorsChoose is a nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to classroom projects in order to bring this statistic down.

The OASD Education Foundation has partnered with the organization to help all students across the city of Oshkosh have the resources, tools, and experiences that they need for a great education.

“This campaign will help enrich the education of students throughout the Oshkosh Area School District and empower teachers to transform their classroom experiences,” said Theresa Duren,

OASD Education Foundation Director. “While our district is committed to providing the materials needed to teach in the classroom, DonorsChoose is a great way to bring those extra things for students to make learning fun and engaging and to supplement the curriculum.”

With a generous match from the JEK Foundation, as well as a $1,000 donation from Amcor, the

OASD Education Foundation will fund the final 25% of all projects posted, up to $200, beginning on November 1, 2021. Partnering with DonorsChoose also allows the OASD to monitor all donated materials and principals are notified each time a project is funded.

The OASD Education Foundation engages the community in supporting Oshkosh public schools and is committed to providing resources for innovation, fine arts, athletics, scholarships, and other resources to enhance students’ lives. The OASD Education Foundation funds are managed by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. For more information or to make a donation, contact Theresa Duren at [email protected] or 920.424.0395.

Additional information is available at www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation.

The Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) will now offer booster doses of all three COVID-19 vaccine types at upcoming WCHD vaccine clinics, along with first, second and third doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and single doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are free and available to anyone 12 years and older. An ID or insurance is not required to get vaccinated. Upcoming walk-in clinics include, Saturday, Oct. 30, during the Oshkosh Farmers Market inside the Time Community Theater (445 N. Main St., Oshkosh, Wis.) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 1, at the Winneconne-Poygan Fire Department (550 W Main St., Winneconne, Wis.) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Booster and Third Dose Details:

For individuals who have received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as their primary vaccine series, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at least six months after the second dose of their initial series:

Booster shots are recommended for those who are 18 and older and received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine two or more months ago.

Free assistance is available to people in Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties who need transportation to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Please call Make the Ride Happen at 920-225-1719. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine and a complete listing of area vaccination clinics, visit www.wcvaccine.org or call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 920-232-3026.

Be a difference maker! If you or someone you know is searching for a job or looking for a way to give back, the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) is hiring for multiple positions with immediate start dates.

Current openings include classroom teachers and teacher assistants, special education teachers and teacher assistants, substitutes, as well as clerical, food service, maintenance, and custodial staff. All open positions are posted on the Wisconsin Education Career Access Network, or WECAN. To view all open positions, visit wecan.education.wisc.edu.

Job seekers must set up a username and password in order to view openings and apply. Once logged in, click on the “Search Vacancies” button and type “Oshkosh Area School District” into the employer box.

From licensed teachers to teacher assistants, to food services staff and custodians, each and every OASD employee touches the lives of students and every employee makes a difference. Employees are able to enjoy family friendly hours, competitive wages and excellent benefits. Benefits for qualifying employees include health, dental, long term disability, life insurance, optional short term disability and vision insurance, participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System, and much more! Whether you are trained in education, new to the field or looking for a career change, the Oshkosh Area School District has a place for you. Be the difference – for Oshkosh students, families, and the entire community!

For more information visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/human-resources or call the OASD’s HR Office at 920.424.0124.

Today, Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) welcomed Battalion Chief Mike Rutterof the Oshkosh Fire Department to the State Capitol in Madison.

Rutter was selected as the 54th Assembly District’s “2021 First Responder of the Year.” Rutter was nominated by Rep. Hintz and the City of Oshkosh Fire Department due to his notable career and the contributions he has made to the community.

Representative Hintz released the following statement on this honor:

“I am proud to recognize Battalion Chief Mike Rutter as the 54th Assembly District’s 2021 First Responder of the Year, and am honored to have the opportunity to recognize his service to the Oshkosh community before the full Assembly.

“Chief Rutter is a 26-year veteran of the Oshkosh Fire Department, who is wholly committed to bringing out the best in each of his colleagues as he prepares them to protect the public. Chief Rutter has greatly improved the safety of the Oshkosh Fire Department’s firefighters, particularly through the coordination of personal protective equipment programming.

“This honor recognizes the culmination of his dedication to his profession, and contributions tothe citizens of Oshkosh. I commend Chief Rutter and all of the First Responder award recipientsfor their outstanding service to their communities and the state of Wisconsin.”

The Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation recently received a $20,000 donation from the JEK Foundation (formerly known as the John E. Kuenzl Foundation).

The funds will be used to enhance the educational experience in the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD), specifically supporting teachers in bringing unique and innovative projects to their classrooms.

“This is a remarkable gift that will have an immediate impact on student learning in the Oshkosh Area School District,” said Theresa Duren, OASD Education Foundation Director. “We are grateful for the JEK Foundation’s commitment to supporting Oshkosh students, staff and schools.”

The $20,000 donation will help support three exciting initiatives within the Oshkosh Area SchoolDistrict:

The OASD Education Foundation engages the community in supporting Oshkosh public schools and is committed to providing resources for innovation, fine arts, athletics, scholarships, and other resources to enhance students’ lives. The OASD Education Foundation funds are managed by the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Theresa Duren at [email protected] or 920.424.0395.

Additional information is available atwww.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/oshkosh-education-foundation.

The Oshkosh community is invited to join the Communities at Oshkosh North program for a cross-fit style workout benefiting a local veterans organization.

The Communities at Oshkosh North program is partnering with Ardent Fitness and Education and Got Your Six K9s to host Sweat for a Vet. The event will take place on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Oshkosh North High School from 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. Event participants should enter via Door #20, parking will be available in the East Lot (1100 W Smith Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901).

The Sweat for a Vet event aims to help raise awareness of the difficulties that face many veterans. From social isolation to mental health concerns, veterans returning from combat often experience difficulties transitioning back to civilian life. However, many veterans have found support through physical exercise and the social connection and support that it offers. Sweat for a Vet aims to promote companionship and connectedness with Oshkosh’s heroes.

Sweat for a Vet is a family-friendly event, and all ages and fitness levels are invited to participate. The event will feature different levels, giving participants the option to simply walk the course or test their endurance by completing various cross-fit style exercises.

Pre-registration is required online. For more information and to register, visit www.communitiesonhs.org or check out the Communities at Oshkosh North Facebook page.

The $25 entry fee includes an event T-shirt; participants must register by October 24, 2021, to beguaranteed a t-shirt. All proceeds will benefit the Got Your Six K9s, a local organization helpingto improve the physical and emotional well-being of wounded military veterans through servicedogs.

Got Your Six K9s is dedicated to helping wounded combat veterans through the assistance of professionally trained service dogs to help them cope with PTSD and other service-related injuries. All proceeds raised from the Sweat for a Vet event will go towards the purchase of a service dog for a veteran in need. The estimated cost of each service dog, from birth to placement, is between $18,000 and $20,000. To learn more, visit www.gotyoursixk9s.org

The Communities at Oshkosh North program transforms student learning from a traditional environment to a project-led environment, which helps students engage with their community in meaningful and authentic ways. The program’s Sweat for a Vet event and project is helping students understand the issues facing veterans. Additionally, the event is providing students with the opportunity to engage with the Oshkosh community and make a difference in the lives of local veterans.

The entire Oshkosh community is invited to join Communities students and show support forlocal veterans by either participating in or donating to this special event!

Gather ‘round the virtual campfire and get ready to tell your scariest story in justtwo sentences. Oshkosh Public Library is hosting an online Two-Sentence Horror Story Contestfor teens who live in Winnebago County.

Amazon Gift Cards will be awarded to the top three creepiest wordsmiths in two age categories:grades 6 – 8 and grades 9 – 12. First place: $30; Second place $25; Third place $20.

These terrifying tales can be about any topic but must be two sentences in length.

Submit your bone chilling story at bit.ly/twosentencecontest. Contest winners will be notifiedon Oct. 29, and entries will be shared on the library’s website.

For questions regarding this contest, email Teen Services Librarian Maggie [email protected].

Some programs require registration. Please visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for details.

Programs held at the library unless otherwise noted.

Mon., Nov. 1

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers.

Read to a Dog, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m., ages 5 – 12. Reservation required.

Shelf Selected Kids Edition, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live.

Wed., Nov. 3

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants and toddlers.

Shelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live.

Thurs., Nov. 4

Oshkosh Poet Laureate Reception, 6 p.m., Zoom. Contact [email protected] to

receive the Zoom meeting link.

Fri., Nov. 5

Tween Book Club, 4:30 p.m., ages 9 – 11.

Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m., grades 6 – 12.

First Chapter Fridays, 4:30 p.m., ages 8 – 11, Facebook Live.

Mon., Nov. 8

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers.

Read to a Dog, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m., ages 5 – 12. Reservation required.

Shelf Selected Kids Edition, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live.

Tues., Nov. 9

Pop-Up Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Adult DIY: Fall Leaf Bowl, 6 p.m., adults.

Wed., Nov. 10

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants and toddlers.

Memory Café, 1:30 – 3 p.m., adults.

Shelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live

Fri., Nov. 12

First Chapter Fridays, 4:30 p.m., ages 8 – 11, Facebook Live.

Mon., Nov. 15

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers.

Read to a Dog, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m., ages 5 – 12. Reservation required.

Shelf Selected Kids Edition, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live.

Tues., Nov. 16

Stories and Stretches, 9:30 a.m., ages 4 and older.

Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Anytime Online Book Club: Native American Stories, 6 p.m., Facebook Live.

Wed., Nov. 17

Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 – 11:30 a.m., ages 1 – 4.

Wonderlab: Dinosaur Dig, 4:30 p.m., ages 5 – 9.

Shelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live.

Thurs., Nov. 18

Library Board Meeting, 4 p.m.

Not Your Classic Book Club, 6 p.m., adults.

Fri., Nov. 19

Librarian Learns: Chief Oshkosh Monument, 9 a.m., YouTube.

First Chapter Fridays, 4:30 p.m., ages 8 – 11, Facebook Live.

Sat., Nov. 20

Stories and Stretches, 10 a.m., ages 4 and older.

Wonderlab: Dinosaur Dig, 1 p.m., ages 5 – 9.

Mon., Nov. 22

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers.

Read to a Dog, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m., ages 5 – 12. Reservation required.

Shelf Selected Kids Edition, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live.

Tues., Nov. 23

Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wed., Nov. 24

High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants and toddlers.

Shelf Selected, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live

Thurs., Nov. 25

Library closed. Happy Thanksgiving!

Fri., Nov. 26

First Chapter Fridays, 4:30 p.m., ages 8 – 11, Facebook Live.

Mon., Nov. 29

Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., preschoolers.

Read to a Dog, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m., ages 5 – 12. Reservation required.

Shelf Selected Kids Edition, 6:30 p.m., Facebook Live.

The city of Oshkosh has updated the Fall Loose Leaf Collection schedule. Residents are advised that the primary day for loose leaf collection will be the DAY AFTER their regular garbage collection day. For residents whose garbage is collected on Friday, their loose leaf collection is Monday. The schedule is as follows:

Friday Garbage = Monday Loose Leaf Collection 10/18 10/25 11/01 11/08 11/15

Monday Garbage = Tuesday Loose Leaf Collection 10/19 10/26 11/02 11/09 11/16

Tuesday Garbage = Wednesday Loose Leaf Collection 10/20 10/27 11/03 11/10 11/17

Wednesday Garbage = Thursday Loose Leaf Collection 10/21 10/28 11/04 11/11 11/18

Thursday Garbage = Friday Loose Leaf Collection 10/22 10/29 11/05 11/12 11/19

• LEAVES ONLY, No GRASS, brush, or garden plants. Leaves should be piled loosely on the terrace, not in the street, for collection NO LATER THAN 7:00 am on the day after your scheduled garbage collection day. For properties without terraces, rake the leaves as far out to the street without obstructing the sidewalk or going into the curb line or the street.

• Loose leaf collection may end at any time due to weather or equipment issues. Loose leaf collection will end the week of November 15 through November 19 on your scheduled leaf collection date.

• Yard Waste Collection week is scheduled during the week of November 1 through November 5. Place small branches, garden debris, or leaves into paper biodegradable bags no later than 7:00 am on your garbage day.

Winnebago County is working with New North, the regional economic development entity, to study broadband internet service in our county and across the region, to identify gaps and prioritize investment. The study is being conducted by Design Nine, Inc. You can support the study by taking this household survey by October 29. The survey includes use of an accurate speed test. Each household is asked to take the survey one time, using the speed test while at home, but may use the speed test multiple times, both at home and at work, to provide more data for the study.

Due to logistical conflicts, EAA has canceled the Girls in Aviation Day activities scheduled for Sunday, October 17. Those activities may be rescheduled at a future date.

EAA apologizes for any inconvenience from this cancellation.

The City of Oshkosh recently allocated $150,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) to launch the Oshkosh Micro Enterprise Program.

The program will award forgivable loans of up to $7,500 to assist microenterprise businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic/economic crisis. Microenterprises are businesses that have five or fewer employees, including the owner. For businesses to be eligible, they must be located within the City of Oshkosh, meet low-to-moderate income qualifications for Winnebago County and document how the business has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds can be used for basic working capital, leasing space, insurance, utilities and staff salaries. Ineligible uses include non-business debt, personal expenses, financing for political activities and reimbursements for expenses incurred prior to February 1st, 2020. Funds will be targeted to for-profit, existing microenterprises started before February 1st, 2020. Upon application approval, WWBIC will provide technical assistance such as business coaching and mentorship opportunities.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. The deadline to apply has been extended to Friday, October 22nd at 11:59 p.m. Any interested small business owners should review all requirements for eligibility and all documents needed to apply. Additional information and the application for this funding opportunity can be found at https://bit.ly/mico-entreprise-program.

Applications are reviewed on a first-come first-served basis. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 8th at 11:59 p.m. Any interested small business owners should review all requirements for eligibility and all documents needed to apply. Additional information and the application for this funding opportunity can be found at https://bit.ly/mico-entreprise-program.

Please contact Colleen Bies, at [email protected] for additional information or questions about applying for The Oshkosh Micro Enterprise Program.

Mayor Lori Palmeri, will proclaim the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In advance of the day, Mayor Palmeri will read the Proclamation in Menominee Park, at the Chief Oshkosh Monument on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m., by the shores of Lake Winnebago. The event will be shared virtually via social media on Sunday and Monday.

“It is most fitting to share this proclamation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as the Chief Oshkosh Monument Project Committee, including Menominee Tribal representatives, prepares updates to signage at the monument, in honor of Chief Oshkosh, along with Menominee peoples, who stewarded and inhabited the lands before colonial settlement displaced them. Indigenous peoples in the City of Oshkosh represent an important and valued part of our community,” Palmeri said.

“This is a small gesture to genuinely encourage contemporary citizens to learn more about our shared past, while also considering the lands we inhabit today; how we use and care for land and waters for future generations,” she added.

Palmeri first proclaimed Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Oshkosh, in October 2019, during her first term as Mayor.

The reading of the proclamation will be broadcast virtually via social media. See hashtag #IndigenousinOshkosh on Facebook

Smith School has recently been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

“Our community has shown a unique passion for Smith School. This designation commemorates the historical significance this school has both in terms of its architecture and its role in educating our children for 120 years,” said Chet Wesenberg, architect and co-developer of the project.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. In May, Wisconsin’s Historic Preservation Review Board voted unanimously to place Smith School on Wisconsin’s Register of Historic Places and nominate it for the national registry.

The public is invited to attend a celebration of the school’s National Registry designation at 1:30 p.m. on Friday October 15. The celebration will be held at the school located at 1745 Oregon St in Oshkosh. A brief program will include remarks from community leaders and the unveiling of the National Registry plaque to be placed on the building. Plans for the redevelopment of the school into 31 apartment units will also be available for review.

“This is a perfect chance for our community to come together and celebrate a piece of our local history”, said Shirley Brabender-Mattox, chair of the City of Oshkosh Landmarks Commission.

October 3-9 is Fire Prevention Week. During this week (in fact the entire month) the Oshkosh Fire Department will be out in the schools, daycares and businesses reinforcing the importance of working smoke alarms and fire safety and prevention. Going along with this year’s theme we want to make sure that everyone knows what their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors sound like and how they should respond to the different sounds they can make.

After taking a year off due to COVID we will once again be doing our Detector Trek. Detector Trek is a program in which we choose a neighborhood in Oshkosh and go door-to-door checking for the correct number of working smoke detectors. Any lacking detectors or missing or dead batteries are then installed/replaced for FREE.

This year we will be in a south side neighborhood bordered by Witzel Avenue to West 9 th Avenue (north to south) and Ohio Street to Knapp Street (east to west). We will be out in this neighborhood on October 5-7.

For more information please check out the department’s Facebook page or call 920-236-5249.

The Oshkosh Public Library has launched F Stop: Resilience (#FStop21), an online photography contest and exhibit to showcase the Oshkosh community’s interpretation of “resilience” during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“We had such a positive response to our 2020 contest focusing on shelter that we wanted to offer this opportunity once again but with a fresh take,” said Sandy Toland, community engagement librarian.

“F Stop: Resilience is a chance for both amateur and professional photographers to document what life looks like during this historic and turbulent time in our history.” Free to enter, the contest asks individuals ages 13 and older to submit up to two photos depicting what resilience means to them.

Entries will be judged on composition and how the image reflects resilience.

The top three photos in the two age divisions: 13 to 17 and ages 18 and older will be awarded prizes courtesy of Camera Casino and the library.

Photos will be exhibited on the library’s website and social media channels. Deadline for submission of photographs is Oct. 16.

View all the entries from last year’s contest on the library’s YouTube channel.

Please visit the library’s website at oshkoshpubliclibrary.org for prize information, entryform and official contest rules.

The city of Oshkosh continues to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as it relates to COVID-19. The CDC’s recommendations for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 include wearing a face covering in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission rates of the disease, due to the highly contagious Delta variant.

Winnebago County is experiencing high community transmission. As a result of this, and in accordance with CDC guidance, the city will continue to require its employees and visitors inside city-operated buildings to wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status. This requirement will remain in place through October 31, 2021, and will be re-evaluated at that time.

City staff will monitor the COVID case count in Winnebago County and continue to follow CDC guidance. Face coverings will continue to be required of GO Transit riders by federal order. The CDC’s guidance reiterates that people who are fully vaccinated are less likely to acquire the virus and transmit it to others, and less likely to suffer severe illness, hospitalization and death.

As of today, 52.5% of Winnebago County residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Winnebago County Health Department. Information about the vaccine and how to find vaccination sites is available at https://www.wcvaccine.org/ or by calling the Winnebago County Health Department at (920) 232-3026. Oshkosh residents are encouraged to limit contact by using online resources on the city’s website and by using the drop box in front of City Hall.

For more information about face covering requirements in city buildings, please contact the Oshkosh City Manager’s office at (920) 236-5002

The EAA Aviation Museum is bringing the world of aviation to young women on Sunday, October 17, as Girls in Aviation Day opens possibilities that encourage, inspire, and develop curiosity into the world of flight.

Girls in Aviation Day programs are from 1-5 p.m. on October 17 and included with regular museum admission. Activities are focused primarily for girls ages 12-18 with several options available ranging from hands-on activities to aviation tours and fascinating speakers. All activities introduce aviation and related areas as a way to increase the number of women who fly – currently less than 10 percent of all pilots in the U.S.

Among the activities:

· Computer Flight Simulators – Learn the basics of flight with an ultimate goal of flying (virtually) through the Gateway Arch in St. Louis!

· A Riveting Experience – Rivet together a three-ring binder from Zenith Aircraft that can be taken as a souvenir made of sheet metal, skill and muscle power.

· Basler Turbo Conversions Tour – A tour of the Oshkosh based company that takes vintage aircraft and creates modern-equipped airplanes used around the world.

Speaker sessions cover the entire world of flight, including:

· 1 p.m. – Dr. Nicolle Zellner of Albion College, a STEM educator who was inspired by the “Mercury 13” women and inspires young women to pursue science and space careers.

· 1:40 p.m. – Gigi Coleman, the great-niece of Bessie Coleman, America’s first Black woman aviator, who captures the history of flight for women in the early 1900s.

· 2:40 p.m. – Sarah Gilliam, who has worked in many aviation areas that inspired her to pursue her own dreams of flight.

· 3:20 p.m. – Emilia Tolbert, a pilot and Bill Gates Millennium Scholar who shares the possibilities that flight brings to achieving in many other areas.

· 4 p.m. – Laura Thomas, an air traffic controller who is among those people who keep the skies safe by managing air traffic at the nation’s busiest airports.

Throughout Girls in Aviation Day, information on online aviation resources, scholarships, education programs, and more will be available from EAA and its AeroEducate program, Fox Valley Technical College, Women in Aviation International, and the Ninety-Nines.

About EAA Aviation Museum

The EAA Aviation Museum is located just off Interstate 41 at the Highway 44 exit in Oshkosh. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAA members receive free museum admission year-round. For more information, call the EAA Aviation Museum at (920) 426-4818 or visit www.EAA.org/museum.

This is a statement from Oshkosh police:

The Oshkosh Police Department in cooperation with the Oshkosh Area School District looked into commentary made by a citizen during a virtual OASD meeting.

The Oshkosh Police Department was made of aware this commentary that took place during the board meeting held on Wednesday Sept. 22, 2021.

After further speaking with this individual and consulting with the Winnebago County District Attorney’s Office, there will be no charges filed.

Locating and rescuing World War II-era aircraft from the bottom of Lake Michigan will be the focus of the EAA Aviation Adventure Speaker Series on Thursday, October 21, as EAA welcomes Taras Lyssenko from A and T Recovery.

The presentation in the museum’s Eagle Hangar begins at 7 p.m. on October 21. It is free for EAA members and just $5 for nonmembers.

Dozens of World War II fighter airplanes were lost in accidents and intentional water ditchings during aircraft carrier qualification training near Chicago, most notably at the Naval Air Station Glenview just north of the city. In many cases, those aircraft remained at the bottom of the lake for more than a half century before individuals and organizations began locating and rescuing the airplanes for restoration. The airplanes included some of the most iconic airplanes of the World War II era, such as the Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat that was recovered in the early 1990s and restored. That airplane is on temporary display in the Eagle Hangar, on loan from Lewis Air Legends of San Antonio, Texas.

The Wildcat on display at EAA is painted in the markings of Butch O’Hare, a Chicago-born World War II ace who was the first naval aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. In 1949, the City of Chicago named the small Orchard Field Airport in honor of O’Hare.

This October 21 presentation replaces the originally scheduled event featuring authors of the EAA book B-17: The Final Mission, which will be rescheduled to a future date.

The Winnebago County Health Department will offer four free COVID-19 vaccination clinics on select Saturdays during the Oshkosh Farmers Market.

The first clinic will be this Saturday, September 25, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Time Community Theater (445 N Main St., Oshkosh, Wis.). Three additional clinics will be held on October 16, 23, and 30, from 8 a.m. to noon also at the Time Community Theater.

“The infections in Winnebago County have been rapidly increasing over the past several weeks,” stated Doug Gieryn, director/health officer for the Winnebago County Health Department. ” At this time, you should assume any public place in the community has infected person(s) present. The best way to minimize the current surge is by using the prevention strategies we know work, such as wearing masks and getting vaccinated when possible. The Time Community Theater continues to be a great partner as a host for our community vaccination clinics.”

The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, along with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, will be offered at this Saturday’s clinic at the Farmers Market. The clinic is open to anyone 12 years and older, and appointments are not required. Vaccinations will be administered in the Time Community Theater. Public health staff will be on-hand to answer any questions community members may have.

Information on the COVID-19 vaccine and assistance finding additional vaccine clinic locations will be available at the Winnebago County Health Department booth near the front of the theater. Free assistance is available to individuals in Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties who need transportation or help navigating transportation options to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

Please call Make the Ride Happen at 920-225-1719 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine and a complete listing of all area vaccination clinics, please visit www.wcvaccine.org or call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 920-232-3026 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Oshkosh Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin SS 301.45 and 301.46 (Act 440), which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety.

The following person is being released:DANIEL S KALASH M/W 03-28-1983 is being released on October 5, 2021 to 1015 S Washburn Street in the City of Oshkosh.

This sex offender has served the sentence imposed on him/her by the courts and has advised officials that he/she will be living in the location on the opposite side of this page.

THIS PERSON IS NOT WANTED BY THE POLICE AT THIS TIME. THIS NOTIFICATION IS NOT INTENDED TO INCREASE FEAR; RATHER, IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT AN INFORMED PUBLIC IS A SAFER PUBLIC.

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities but it was not until the passage of Act 440 (which mandates sex offender registration) that law enforcement even knew where they were living. In many cases, law enforcement is now able to share that information with you.

Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated. Further, such abuse could potentially end law enforcements ability to do community notifications. We believe the only person who wins if community notification ends is the sex offender, since the sex offenders derive their power through secrecy.

On Thursday the Oshkosh Police Department responded to an incident at Oshkosh West High School (375 North Eagle Street).

At approximately 1:52 PM, a School Resource Officer at OWHS requested emergency assistance. Multiple Oshkosh Police Officers responded to the unknown problem.

A fight occurred between several students. The School Resource Officer and OWHS staff quickly diffused the situation. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

There is no danger to the public. In consultation with the Oshkosh Area School District, as a precaution, there will be additional police presence at OWHS on Friday, September 17.

For additional information, please refer to the information provided by the Oshkosh Area School District.

If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Oshkosh Police Department at 911 (if an emergency) or (920) 236-5700. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can do so by using the P3 tip app through the Winnebago County Crime Stoppers.

Oshkosh West High School Principal Erin Kohl shared this information with school families on Wednesday, September 15:

Today at approximately 10:15 a.m., Oshkosh West High School administration put the school on a “hold” due to an emergency issue with one student. Per our district emergency response plan, the school was placed in a “hold” and all students were kept in their classrooms and the police department was notified. The school resource officer was called to assist with a disruptive student. The entire situation took approximately 30 minutes.

As of 10:45 a.m. the situation was resolved, the hold was lifted, and the school resumed normal activities. Please know that student safety is our primary concern at Oshkosh West. If you have any questions about our emergency response plan or procedures, please reach out. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Effective today, the COVID-19 testing site at Sunnyview Expo Center is now open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The regional testing site operates in partnership with the Winnebago County Health Department and the Wisconsin National Guard.

“Testing remains a key tool in reducing the spread of COVID-19,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department Director/Health Officer. “We had announced over the weekend that the testing site would be closed at the start of this week, but through our partnership with the Wisconsin National Guard, we were able to open the site back up earlier than anticipated so we could continue to offer free testing to the community without interruption. We were also able to add a day to the schedule and will now be open on Mondays, making free COVID-19 testing available at Sunnyview Monday through Friday.”

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive is encouraged to get tested. Testing is free and available to anyone 12 months and older. Contact a pediatrician or healthcare provider for children under age one. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, chills, muscle aches or loss of taste or smell.

Walk-up testing is provided at the Sunnyview testing site. Pre-registration is encouraged. For a link to register, visit the Winnebago County Health Department’s website at www.winnebagopublichealth.org. Results are typically provided within 48 hours. While you are waiting for test results, it is critical that you isolate yourself from others to prevent spread of the virus should you test positive.

Additional information:● No appointments needed● Walk-up testing provided. Call the Winnebago County Health Department at 920-232-3026 for alternative accommodations. ● A doctor’s referral is not required● This site provides PCR testing ● Members of the Wisconsin National Guard conduct the testing● Language translation is available● Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can consent to the testing

For additional testing locations, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) interactive map at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm, or visit the Winnebago County Health Department website at www.winnebagopublichealth.org for the most up to date testing locations. The best protection from the COVID-19 virus is vaccination. Find a local vaccination location at www.wcvaccine.org.For more information, visit www.winnebagopublichealth.org or call 920-232-3026.

Lakeside Elementary School is moving a single classroom to virtual instruction for one week after that classroom of 20 students had five positive COVID-19 cases, the Oshkosh Area School District announced Sunday evening.

After having three active cases in one classroom last week, the District, in collaboration with the Winnebago County Health Department, recommended that all students in that classroom get tested. The District provided rapid antigen COVID-19 tests on Sunday at the school, with parental consent. During that testing, two more students tested positive.

The District asked parents to help by making sure their students are properly wearing masks, watching their distance and washing their hands regularly. If students begin to experience symptoms of COVID-19, families are asked to notify the school immediately.

Vaccinations are not expected to be available for students younger than 12 until late fall or early winter. For students 12 and older and adults, vaccinations are available at local clinics and listed on the Winnebago County Health Department’s website at wcvaccine.org.

The COVID-19 testing site at Sunnyview Expo Center is temporarily closed, with plans to reopen later in the week. The testing site operates in partnership with the Winnebago County Health Department and the Wisconsin National Guard. At this time, the Wisconsin National Guard is temporarily unavailable to support this site and is working with Winnebago County to resume assistance shortly. The Winnebago County Health Department is working to secure alternative staffing and is planning to resume operations later in the week.

“We are incredibly grateful for the service of the Wisconsin National Guard,” said Doug Gieryn, Winnebago County Health Department Director/Health Officer. “The testing site has been an amazing free resource for our community and it would not have been possible without the partnership of the Wisconsin National Guard. The site will be back up and running shortly, and in the meantime there are many other locations in the area offering testing.”

The testing site has been in operation for just over a year and has provided over 56,000 COVID-19 tests to the community. Recently there has been a steep increase in testing demand due to the high COVID-19 case burden in our area caused by the highly contagious Delta variant. This past week, the testing site was averaging over 200 tests per day.

The number of reported COVID-19 cases has also been on the rise, reaching over 100 reported cases of COVID-19 in a single day on Friday, a level the Winnebago County Health Department has not seen since January. Testing is an important tool to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus.

If you are ill or believe you may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus from another person, get a test. The most common location for spread is at home and in public indoor environments where you are in close contact with others.

If you need a test, call your primary care provider, local pharmacy or visit one of the many community testing sites still available. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) interactive map for locations at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community-testing.htm or visit the Winnebago County Health Department website at www.winnebagopublichealth.org for the most up to date testing locations. The best protection from the COVID-19 virus is vaccination. Find a local vaccination location at www.wcvaccine.org.

Lakeside Elementary School is asking that students in a single classroom get tested for COVID-19 after that classroom of 20 students had three positive cases, including two likely transmitted in school.

If no other students in that same classroom test positive for COVID-19, in-person instruction will resume as normal on Monday for all students who were tested. If another student in the same classroom tests positive, Lakeside Elementary will move that single classroom to virtual instruction for one week, starting on Tuesday, September 14 through Friday, September 17.

Lakeside Elementary School on Friday had a total of seven students who had tested positive for COVID-19. All seven were quarantined at home along with any siblings, and families of students who had close contact with any of the seven were notified by the school.

The Oshkosh Area School District is committed to providing in-person instruction to students and wants to do so safely, preventing spread in school. Therefore, after consulting with the Winnebago County Health Department, the OASD asked Friday that all students in the classroom with three positive cases receive COVID-19 tests to determine if the classroom can continue in-person instruction or needs to switch to virtual instruction for one week. OASD will provide the tests for students at Lakeside with parental consent.

OASD is committed to in-person learning and is only using the possibility of virtual instruction for the week out of an abundance of caution for students and staff.

Parents can help by making sure their students are properly wearing masks, watching their distance and washing their hands regularly. OASD thanked families for their cooperation with the District’s effort to keep children learning in-person in class with their peers and teachers.

The city of Oshkosh has selected Sarah Phillips as the community’s next Director of the Oshkosh Public Museum. In her new position, Phillips will oversee the exhibitions, programs, presentations and staff at the Oshkosh Public Museum, which has represented the history and heritage of Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago region for over 90 years.

“We are pleased Sarah Phillips will be joining the city of Oshkosh’s leadership team,” commented City Manager Mark Rohloff. “Sarah comes to the city with extensive public museum experience and will make a great addition to our team.”

Phillips has been employed with the Idaho State Museum since 2008. During her time there, she has held positions including Collections Manager/Curatorial Registrar, Curator of Collections and most recently Curator of Collections and Exhibitions. In her current role, Phillips provides vision and leadership to all exhibitions and collections practices in the Idaho State Museum (ISM) and currently manages a team of five people. Additionally, Phillips earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History with an emphasis in American History and a Masters of Applied Historical Research with an emphasis in Museum Studies and 20th Century American History from Boise State University.

“I’m inspired by the incredible work of the city of Oshkosh and the staff of the Oshkosh Public Museum. We have amazing opportunities to create new partnerships and museum programming, and foster meaningful conversations about the history of the region. I’m honored to join the Oshkosh family, and look forward to getting to know the city” said Phillips.

Phillips will begin her new position with the city of Oshkosh on December 2, 2021, replacing Brad Larson who retired on September 2, 2021, after 32+ years of service with the city.

The Kiwanis Club is dedicated to helping children and education. In this difficult time, help us reach out to students and assist them in increasing their reading skills.

Come to the 1st Annual WI Fish Fry and Bingo event to raise money for our Kiwanis ‘n Cops ‘n Kids Reading Program. This program is free for kids!

This unique Kiwanis program allows children to read books with an Oshkosh Police Department officer, work on their reading skills, and then take a book home with them!

Since our initial launch, we have expanded our program into the Oshkosh after-school programs and the Summer Reading in the Park Program, again, in conjunction with the Oshkosh Police Department. We will work with every Oshkosh After School program during the school year. Our goal is to reach as many children as possible.

Tickets are now on sale! $35 early bird (until 9/15) and $40 late bird (9/11). Please register at

http://www.eventbrite.com/…/oshkosh-kiwanis-bingo-for-a…

Interested in being a sponsor? Please contact Glen Pollack at [email protected] or Ben Bloom at [email protected]

The history and future possibilities of space travel will be on full display at the EAA Aviation Museum on Saturday, October 9, as Space Day returns to the museum after a one-year absence with a theme of “Women in Space.”

Space Day activities mark EAA’s participation in World Space Week, with activities from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. all included with regular museum admission that day.

Featured speaker for the event is veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, who participated in space shuttle flights in 2009 and 2011, and lived for more than 100 days aboard the International Space Station. Stott was the 10th woman to perform a spacewalk, flew the robotic arm to capture the first H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV), and participated in the first Twitter tweet-up from space to Earth. She is also known as “The Artistic Astronaut” who painted a watercolor while in space. Stott will be presenting at 4 p.m. in the museum.

Additional Space Day activities at EAA on October 9 include:

· Mercury and Gemini Capsule Replicas — Climb inside a full-scale replica of the Mercury space capsule, which was the first U.S. spacecraft, and the Gemini space capsule, which helped NASA get ready for the Apollo moon landings.

· Moon Game: You’ve landed on the moon, now what? Work as a team with your family to solve a series of challenges founded in science about living and doing research on the moon.

· Re-entry Capsule Design: Do you ever wonder how astronauts return to Earth after a mission from space? Design a re-entry capsule that can survive a wind tunnel.

· Foam Rockets: Learn about the parts of a rocket and the forces of flight as you build and fly your own foam rocket.

· Compressed Air Rockets: Discover what makes a rocket fly high by building an air-compressed rocket out of basic household materials.

· Fizzy Rockets: What do you get when you mix Alka-Seltzer and water? Experiment to see how high your fizzy rocket can go!

In addition, EAA’s Space Day Museum Exhibit Creation Challenge gives youths ages 18 and under an opportunity to create their own space-themed exhibits featuring Women in Space, with submissions to be built off-site prior to EAA Space Day from any type of material, including kits. All concepts will be presented for judging at 1 p.m. during Space Day. More details are available at the EAA Aviation Museum website.

With an album release on August 30, 2021, the music that makes up “UnderThe Venus Moon” was initially conceived almost thirty years ago. First meeting as musicianssharing a bandstand, composer Mario Friedel, vocalist Janet Planet, and arranger/saxophonistTom Washatka began a 35-year friendship. Years later, after retiring from his teaching career,Friedel put a recording in motion. He commissioned Washatka to arrange seven of his songs forbig band resulting in “Under the Venus Moon.”

As the liner notes explain, “A Venus Moon evokes a high level of emotional connection to thingsof beauty and artistic expression,” and this is the exact cathartic reaction that springs from themusic of Mario Friedel. The seven arrangements are dynamic yet together exist as one.List of the tracks:

“Under the Venus Moon” has been submitted to the Grammy boards for consideration. You canlisten to the album at stellarsound.net, Spotify, and most streaming platforms. Bookings areavailable at [email protected].

Recorded at Steel Moon Recording, “Under The Venus Moon” features Janet Planet (vocal),Sherry Friedel (background vocal on Mixup at the Station), Mario Friedel (background vocal onMixup at the Station), Tom Washatka (saxophone), Eric Koppa (saxophone), Vince Friedel(saxophone), Marty Robinson (trumpet), Kurt Shipe (trumpet), Ken Skitch (trombone), DaveSawall (trombone), Noah Harmon (keyboard), Tom Theabo (guitar), John Gibson (bass), andZach Harmon (drums/percussion).

Mario Friedel has 30 years’ experience as an educator in both public and private schools, and alifetime of experience as a musician, songwriter, and performer.

Saxophonist, composer, arranger, recording engineer/producer Tom Washatka has beenperforming, producing, and recording music for over 4 decades.

Janet Planet has been a working musician from the Midwest for more than 35 years. Self-produced and managed for the majority of her career, Ms. Planet is a productive recordingartist, performer, teacher, and clinician.

Each musician brings a distinct style to “Under The Venus Moon” – it’s an album that you don’twant to miss.

The Oshkosh Public Library is the newest vaccine location added to the Regional Vaccine Tour. A free COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be offered at the Oshkosh Public Library every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The library is located at 106 Washington Avenue in Oshkosh. The Regional Vaccine Tour started in June through a partnership with the Wisconsin National Guard and the public health departments from Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties. The tour runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, providing two vaccine clinic locations per day. On Tuesday, September 7, the Oshkosh Public Library joins the lineup, and the Nekimi Town Hall vaccine clinic location will no longer be open. The Tuesday afternoon vaccine clinic, open from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., will continue to be located at the Fox Crossing Fire Department, located at 1326 Cold Spring Road in Fox Crossing.Regional Vaccine Tour – Tuesdays – Winnebago County

Other important clinic details:

For more information, visit www.wcvaccine.org/regionaltour or call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 920-232-3026 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The telephone number for the Winnebago County Health Department has been used by unauthorized parties to make outgoing calls.

If you received a call from 920-232-3000 on Monday, August 30, it may not have been from the Health Department. Our Health Department staff would leave a message identifying themselves and would provide a contact number. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please be extremely careful about responding to any requests for personal information from any unknown caller.

More information from the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) on Caller ID Spoofing: https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/caller_id_spoofing.pdf

Oshkosh Public Library has reinstated a rule requiring all patrons to wear face coverings when visiting the library building. This action follows a vote during a regular meeting of its Board of Trustees on Aug. 26.

The mask requirement goes into effect on Mon., Aug. 30 and applies to all library visitors over the age of two, regardless of their vaccination status. The mandate runs through Oct. 1 and will be re-evaluated by the Library Board at its September meeting.

This change is in response to a high level of community transmission of the COVID-19 virus in Winnebago County and follows recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. It is also in line with the City of Oshkosh mask requirement inside city-owned buildings.

Library services will remain the same and public programming will proceed as scheduled Required registration, virtual options and other safety measures are in place for children’s programs to limit risk.

“The health and safety of our patrons and staff continues to be our priority,” says Library Director Jeff Gilderson-Duwe. “Community members have expressed how incredibly important it is to have access to library services during difficult times. Our hope is that by taking this step now we can avoid additional restrictions in the months to come.”

The library continues to offer a variety of flexible options for using the library:

• Curbside pickup of materials upon request.

• Book Bundles for all ages. Request materials online or by phone and staff will select for quick checkout.

• Place holds on materials online and come in for quick checkout when items are ready.

• Wi-Fi hotspots

• Questions answered via online chat, phone or email.

For complete information on current library services, visit oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

The Winnebago County Health Department’s Walk-in Wednesday COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic is opening early, at 11 a.m., this week and next. The clinic, which is located at Sunnyview Expo Center (500 E County Road Y, Oshkosh), will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25, and Wednesday, September 1.

“We anticipate more people seeking vaccination the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine and the Governor’s $100 vaccination incentive announcement,” said Doug Gieryn, director/health officer for the Winnebago County Health Department. “We are also providing additional doses to individuals who are immunocompromised.”

On Monday, Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced the launch of a COVID-19 vaccination reward program. Any Wisconsin resident who receives their first COVID-19 vaccination shot between August 23 and September 6 will receive a $100 Visa gift card. More information can be found at dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/100.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available at the Walk-In Wednesday clinics. A limited supply of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine will also be available. All three COVID-19 vaccines are subject to availability. Vaccination is open to all individuals aged 12 years and older. Appointments are not required. Nurses are also available to answer any questions people may have.

Additional info about the vaccines:

Free transportation assistance is available to individuals in Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties who need transportation or help navigating transportation options to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Please call Make the Ride Happen at 920-225-1719, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit www.wcvaccine.org to find more information on the COVID-19 vaccine and view a complete list of vaccination locations in our area, or call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 hotline at 920-232-3026.

EAA’s Skyscape Theater Royale returns to the EAA Aviation Museum in September, with series of monthly film screenings that will feature something for everyone who has a passion for aviation.

The films are held on the first Thursday of the month in the Skyscape Theater in the EAA Aviation Museum, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free for EAA members and just $5 for non-members. The seating is on a first come, first serve basis and is subject to capacity.

The schedule for fall 2021 film showings:

· Thursday, September 2 – One Six Right: This documentary follows the love of aviation as told through one airport and a group of dedicated people who all enjoy different aspects of flight. This powerful documentary is a true love story for airplane fans.

· Thursday, October 7 – Barnstorming: This film is the true story of an unexpected friendship that developed between a farm family and two pilots who literally dropped out of the sky. Their friendship has created a new tradition out of an old one long gone.

· Thursday, November 4 – When We Were Apollo: Apollo’s story is a metaphor for our ability to rise to challenges and exceed with bold solutions. Behind every astronaut who set foot on the moon was Apollo’s workforce: a team of over 400,000 who knew that the program was only as good as their effort. This film offers an intimate look at experiences of its inspiring backstage figures who spend almost a decade getting us to the moon and back.

· Thursday, December 2 – Spitfire: In commemoration of the Royal Air Force’s centenary, the history of the Spitfire airplane and the fighter pilots who helped win World War II’s Battle of Britain is explored.

The Winnebago County Health Department, in partnership with the Oshkosh Public Library, will offer three free COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Oshkosh Public Library (106 Washington Ave., Oshkosh, Wis.) on:

Appointments are NOT required. Vaccination is open to all individuals aged 12 and older. The clinic is offering both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines Both Pfizer and Moderna are a two-dose series vaccination. You will be considered fully vaccinated 14 days following the second dose of either your Pfizer or Moderna vaccination. Pfizer is the only vaccination available to children ages 12 to 17 at this time.

“As cases climb throughout Winnebago County, we are continuing our efforts to bring vaccination clinics closer to where our community members live and work,” said Doug Gieryn, director/health officer for the Winnebago County Health Department. “We encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated to help curb COVID-19 as we move into the next school year and back indoors this fall. We also recommend everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated to wear a mask in indoor public settings and crowded outdoor venues.”

Third doses for those eligible may not be available at this location. You can call the Winnebago County Health Department’s COVID-19 Hotline at 920-232-3026 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, with any questions related to COVID-19 and vaccination.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccination and a complete listing of all area vaccination clinics, please visit www.wcvaccine.org. Free assistance is available to individuals in Winnebago, Outagamie and Calumet counties who need transportation or help navigating transportation options to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Please call Make the Ride Happen at 920-225-1719 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Oshkosh Police Department is hiring crossing guards for the 2021-2022 school year.

The Oshkosh Police Department is looking to hire several qualified individuals to become Crossing Guards. We are specifically trying to fill vacancies for the following locations: N. Sawyer/Coolidge, School/Bowen, 11th/Oregon, Sawyer/W 5th Ave and New York/Elmwood.

A school crossing guard is a part-time seasonal employee of the Oshkosh Police Department. They are a vital link to the safety of school children on a daily basis. Crossing guards need to be available at least one hour in themorning and 30 minutes to an hour and a half in the afternoon.

This position offers a competitive salary with the hourly wage between $13.18-$15.07 per hour.

For more information please visit this link.

The city of Oshkosh has selected Kelly Nieforth as the community’s next Community Development Director.

In her new position, Nieforth will oversee the Community Development Department which includes the Economic Development, Planning, Inspections, and Assessor Divisions.

“Kelly has been a valuable member of the city’s community development team over the last nine years. I am pleased that she has accepted this new challenge, and am confident that she is well prepared for this new opportunity with the city,” commented City Manager Mark Rohloff.

Nieforth has been the Economic Development Services Manager for the city for the last 5+ years and was recently named the interim Community Development Director. In her role as Economic Development Services Manager, Nieforth oversaw the Economic Development Services Division within the Community Development Department. Prior to that, Nieforth was an Economic Development Specialist with the city of Oshkosh and previously began her career with Calumet County as an Economic Development Specialist.

Overall, Nieforth has 15+ years of community development experience, with 5+ years in a supervisory capacity. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

“As an Oshkosh native, I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve my hometown as the Community Development Director. I look forward to working with city staff, our community partners and the citizens of Oshkosh on projects that will make a lasting impact on the city for generations to come,” said Nieforth. Nieforth will begin her new position with the city of Oshkosh on August 23, 2021. She replaces Allen Davis who retired on July 9, 2021, after 11+ years of service with the city.

The Oshkosh Police Department now has Sensory Bags that patrol officers and school resource officers can use when interacting with autistic citizens who are experiencing a crisis.

The Oshkosh Police Department is committed to developing strong community partnerships and building positive relationships with the citizens of Oshkosh. The sensory bag project is a proactive way for officers to have additional items on hand to try and calm autistic community members who are experiencing a crisis, thus assisting in communication and interaction. These bags will be available to Patrol Officers and School Resource Officers.

All of the items in the bags were provided through generous donations from Walmart, a Thrivent Action Team and Relay. Some of the items that are in the bags are : a weighted blanket, a weighted eye mask, noise canceling headphones and a variety of sensory toys.

When officers are on a call for service and feel that some of these items could be useful in the situation, they will offer one item at a time to the citizen to see which item they would like. They will then get to keep the item that is selected.

If you would like to learn more about these Sensory Bags or would like to make a donation to help support this project please contact Officer Kate Mann at (920) 236-5742 or [email protected]