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Press-Star looks back on 2014

The Saputo plant in New London closed its doors in 2014.

The year also saw the way paved for new apartment buildings behind Walgreens, only to see the location abandoned at a later date. The process also continued for a new city garage in New London to be built.

This is the first in a two-part review of the top stories for 2014.

January

It was announced that the New London Medical Center will change to ThedaCare Medical Center-New London.

The New London Finance and Personnel Committee’s recommendation to the city council was unanimously approved that the city of New London provide development incentives and authorize the city administrator to draft a development agreement for the proposed three, 12-unit apartment buildings behind Walgreens. The council approved the recommendation at a Jan. 14 council meeting.

Dennis Resch, municipal judge for the city of New London and the city of Weyauwega announced that he would retire when his term ended on April 30. He was originally appointed to the position on Jan. 1, 2005.

February

Water Street Vintage repurposes Markman retail building. The business held a grand opening on Feb. 1 and sells antiques and collectibles.

The New London Finance and Personnel Committee unanimously agreed to recommend approving a loan up to $20,000 to the New London Girls Youth Softball Association to renovate the concession stand at Memorial Park. The council later approved the loan.

Laurie Shaw and John Lee moved on from the February primary for the New London and Weyauwega municipal judge position.

The New London School Board heard glowing remarks for the first semester progress report of the Next Generation Academy Charter School. Academy advisors Anne Ferge and Megan Yeska shared highlights and student reflections of the charter school during the school board meeting.

It was announced the St. Patrick’s Day Parade theme would be geared towards bringing people together.

Authorities executing a search warrant seized more than 18 pounds of high-grade marijuana from a home in New London. The search followed the arrest of Jose M. Fernandez-Martinez, 38, after he allegedly delivered more than two pounds of cocaine to an undercover agent with the state Division of Criminal Investigation Feb. 21 in the city of Berlin.

March

Waupaca County judicial race between Keith Steckbauer and Vicki Taggatz Clussman for Branch 2 Circuit Court judge heated up as Clussman’s personal debt became a campaign issue. Clussman said her financial problems were due to a number of marital debts she became responsible for after her divorce in 2010. Steckbauer said voters needed to be informed about Clussman’s debt.

Donna Coyle is announced as the grand marshal of the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day parade in New London.

Prior to the March 24 New London School Board meeting, a moment of silence was held in honor of school board member Jim Auer. Acting President Kim Schroeder read words from Auer’s funeral program that described his love for farming and the New London community. Schroeder also addressed the appointment of fulfilling Auer’s seat on the board.

The New London School District discussed the Chromebook Initiative. To ensure the students readiness for the future, the district initiated a Chromebook program for freshman students.

April

Kim Schroeder and John Michels were elected to the New London School Board. Schroeder was running as an incumbent.

Laurie Shaw was elected as municipal judge for the city of New London and the city of Weyauwega.

Saputo Inc. announced that it will close four of its facilities, including its cheese plant in New London. The closure of the plant would come later in the year.

The official ice out on the Wolf River in New London took place during the morning of April 3. Pete and Joe marked the occasion by breaking loose from the rope that secured them to the shore. After getting caught in an ice jam and then a pillar on the Shawano Street bridge, their boat was safely tied to the dock at Riverside Park. Wisconsin DNR representative and Urban Forestry Coordinator Tracy Salisbury presented Mayor Gary Henke with the 2013 Tree City USA Award during the city’s April city council meeting.

ThedaCare officially changed the name of New London Family Medical Center to ThedaCare Medical Center-New London. Temporary signage went up April 10 at the facility.

The School District of New London received recognition for its working relationships with the business community as well as the multitude of options provided to students. Mayor Gary Henke presented the district with the Special Community Enhancement Award during the 2014 New London Chamber Award Banquet on April 10.

Hortonville native Jeremy Mulroy was sworn in on April 30 as a new police officer for the New London Police Department.

May

Laurie Shaw signed her oath of office as the municipal judge for the city of New London and the city of Weyauwega on May 1. She took the bench on May 15.

The New London Press-Star newspaper returned with the May 8 issue. It was previously called the County Post East. The return to the Press-Star meant more local coverage of New London news. Bert Lehman was named the editor of the paper, and Tim Beiemal the sports editor. John Faucher returned as a reporter for the Press-Star.

Volunteers created 24 garden plots as part of the community garden. The garden plots were created at Trinity Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church in New London. It was announced that May 30 would be the last day of cheese production at the Saputa facility in New London.

Nate Oberg, owner of Fox Valley Firearms, donated two lightweight tactical rifles to the Hortonville Police Department. The rifles were specially equipped with holographic sights for law enforcement and military use.

New London Police Department investigated two separate fires that took place on May 20. The fires took place at 318 W. North Water Street (Copper Shot Bar) and New London High School. An outdoor wooden playground set use for the early child development program was set on fire and destroyed. Jesse M. McLamarrah, 19, was later arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree attempted homicide, two counts of arson, three counts of reckless endangerment and attempted burglary. He was accused of intentially trying to kill two people, Devon Ryan and April Hardegen.

Construction began on the expansion of the building at Festival Foods.

June

Philanthropist Stan Cottrill gifts more than $2 million to worthy causes. A check for $1 million was given to the Wisconsin United Methodist Foundation’s scholarship fund. A $500,000 check went toward improvements and restoration efforts for the stadium at Hatten Park. Cottrill also donated $200,000 to the New London Public Library, and $100,000 to B.A.B.E.S. of New London.

Jay Zempel, a police officer who spent 30 years with the New London Police Department, officially retired on June 2.

A benefit was held on June 3 at the New London Intermediate/Middle School for sixth grade teacher Jim Pompa.

On June 5, the New London girls’ softball team defeated Wrightstown 7-2 in the Division 2 sectional semifinal. The win sent the Lady Bulldogs back to state to defend their Division 2 championship.

After downing New Berlin Eisenhower 4-3 in their first game at state, the New London girls’ softball team faced Mosinee for the Division 2 state title on June 14. The Lady Bulldogs fell to Mosinee 2-0 to finish in the runner-up position.

New London City Administrator Kent Hager announced that the charges filed by the state against the city for asbestos violations were dropped. The charges stemmed from cleanup operations several years ago, that the city was involved with on the former Simmons property at 613 Beacon Ave.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported in late June that Matthew Kent Larsen, 28, of New London, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in United States Magistrate Court in Green Bay for violating the Migratory bird Treaty Act by killing a protected whooping crane in Waupaca County.

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