Wisconsin State

Port Washington, WI

Candidates will face off next week in three races for seats on a Port Washington-Saukville School Board dealing with sliding state report card scores, the transition to a new superintendent that comes on the heels of a period of remarkable turnover in the ranks of administrators and the financial challenges facing school districts throughout the state.

Candidates square off in 3 races for busy School Board

Grafton, WI

Four candidates are running for three seats on the Grafton School Board next week, and one notable name that’s not on the ballot will mean change for the board. Board President Paul Lorge, who has been in office since 2002, is not running for re-election, but incumbents Carrie Walls, vice president of the board, and Steve Nauta are. They face Robert Mallon and Joe Bichler in the Tuesday, April 4, election.

School Board race has four vying for three seats

Belgium, WI

Cedar Grove, WI

The only contested race for the Cedar Grove-Belgium School Board features a longtime incumbent and someone brand new to politics. Aileen Dahlke, 64, has been on the board for 23 years and is seeking another term. She is married with two children and one grandchild and is a retired auditor who used to work for Humana.

School Board race includes veteran, rookie

Washington State

Saukville, WI

During my years as the director of special services for the Port Washington-Saukville Schol District, I developed a high regard for Sara McCutcheon’s dedication to seeking continued improvements for our children. Sara represents Saukville and is available to all parents and residents to discuss issues of concern. Her intelligent...

LETTER: McCutcheon’s leadership is critical as PW-S district grows

Veteran Cedar Grove-Belgium School Board member Dan Bruhn is resigning on Friday for personal reasons. Bruhn has a dental practice in Oostburg and his partner is retiring, he is helping to take care of his mother since his father died in August and he is focusing on his own health after complications from back surgery in December, he said.

Bruhn resigns from board

Fredonia, WI

A recent letter to the editor published in Ozaukee Press put a negative lens on the Fredonia Town Board and suggested electing current board member Matt Miller to replace Lancer Leider as town chairman. I serve on the Town Board with Matt and Lance and I recognize both men as being assets to our town government. At this time, Lance is the most equipped to continue in the role of chairman.

LETTER: Experience, work ethic make Leider better choice for town

Over the last six years, Jon Pleitner has shown to be an outstanding public servant representing Ward 5 on the Common Council. As chair of the Finance and Licensing Committee, Jon demonstrated the common sense and leadership skills to successfully guide the city through complex economic and tax levy challenges.

LETTER: Port will be better off if Jon Pleitner retains council seat

Saukville voters will be faced with a decision of leadership at the polls next Tuesday since longtime Village President Barb Dickmann is retiring after 20 years. Seeking to take her place are two trustees, Andy Hebein and Trevor Seitz. Hebein, 47, of 664 W. Deerpass Rd., has been a trustee...

Trustees vie to lead Saukville into next era

As a resident of City of Port Washington Ward 5, I have already voted for Robert Brooks for alderman, and I am encouraging my neighbors to vote for Brooks too. Brooks is a West Point alumnus and U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division combat veteran. He has the pride in America, leadership training and fortitude of character that we need in more of our elected officials. He is also a fiscal conservative who understands that smart growth of our city’s tax base cannot happen off the backs of the current residents without taxing many lifelong residents out of their homes.

LETTER: Brooks will act to improve city without burdening taxpayers

Two names are on the ballot for Grafton village president for the Tuesday, April 4, election, but only one would take the job. Trustee Lisa Uribe Harbeck dropped out of the race due to “unanticipated family obligations” after it was too late to remove her name from the ballot.

Two on ballot but only one in the running for village president

School District is asking voters for permission to exceed levy limits for five years to pay operating expenses. THE NORTHERN OZAUKEE SCHOOL DISTRICT, which was given approval by voters in 2018 to borrow $15 million to improve its Fredonia campus, is asking next week for permission to exceed its levy limits to pay operating expenses. Press file photo.

NOSD braces for ‘critically important’ vote

I’m writing in support of Jonathan Pleitner for Port Washington Ward 5 alderman. Jonathan is my go-to person when I have a problem or issue with the city,. even though I am not in his ward. He has always been willing to address my concerns and is open to my questions and my input on city matters. I’ve been thoroughly impressed that he listens to the perspective of all of the citizens of Port and makes holistic and thoughtful decisions.

LETTER: Pleitner has no agenda except what’s best for the community

Downtown organization accepting associate members from eleswhere in city in absence of business group. Businesses outside of downtown Port Washington now have the opportunity to be part of Port Main Street Inc. Main Street initiated a new associate member program on March 16 that allows businesses located elsewhere in the...

Port Main Street steps in to fill Chamber void

Six area students graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Dec. 17. Nicholas Hamm of Fredonia earned bachelor of science degrees in history education and social science. Loren Miller of Fredonia received a bachelor of science degree in elementary and middle school education. Sarah Witherspoon of Fredonia earned a bachelor...

Area students earn degrees from UW-O

The Fredonia Lions Leo Club at the Northern Ozaukee School District recently held a drive to collect used eyeglasses that will be screened and refurbished by the Lions and distributed to people throughout the world. Vision impairment is one of the main focuses of Lions Clubs everywhere under the motto, “We Serve.” Pictured with some of the eyeglasses that were collected were (front row, from left) students Owen Uselding, Marissa Ter Maat and Grace Bleichwehl, (back row) Lion John Dowe, students Becky Hoffmann, Tessa Thomas and Ariana Goemer and Lion Al Krier. Photo by Mitch Maersch.

Lions, Ozaukee students collect eyeglasses

Milwaukee, WI

David G. Sather of Port Washington passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 1:43 p.m. (I love you) surrounded by his family singing him into Heaven. He was born in St. Louis, Minn., on June 19, 1945, to Gordon and Alice Sather. David married the love of his life...

David G. Sather

Joseph “Joe” Masnica, a longtime resident of Port Washington, passed away at the Pavilion at Glacier Valley on Sunday, March 19, 2023, just 17 days after he lost the love of his life, Janet. He was 84 years old. Joe was born in Milwaukee on July 30, 1938,...

Joseph “Joe” Masnica

Sheboygan, WI

Random Lake, WI

Scott A. Fechter of Random Lake passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the age of 60. He was born in Port Washington to Robert and Alice (Zeckmeister) Fechter on June 3, 1962. Scott married the love of his life, Kelly Monahan, at Holy Trinity Church, Newburg, on...

Scott A. Fechter

Port Washington State Bank’s mortgage lenders have each received the Five Star Mortgage Professional Award, a designation given by Five Star Professional annually to fewer than 3% of lenders in a particular market. The award is based on feedback from recent homebuyers who fill out a survey that looks at everything from customer service and integrity to communication and overall satisfaction, as well as evaluations by their peers. Earning the award this year were (from left) Jay Schreurs, Kelly Lambrecht, Sharon Niesing and Linda Chay.

Award-winning mortgage bankers

I understand that the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has a tough job in determining conferences, and I do not envy it. But I also do not understand its recently announced football realignment from its Competitive Balance Ad Hoc Committee that will have Port Washington traveling more than 50 miles to new league foes Watertown and Beaver Dam.

Football realignment has room for improvement

Members of the Rose-Harms American Legion in Grafton who have been honored by the Grafton Legion Auxiliary as Veterans of the Month, a program started in November to recognize. veterans who are active in the Legion, received special gifts when an organization called Quilts of Thanks presented them with handmade blankets on March 13. Participating in the program at Legion Hall were (from left) Louise Matousek of Quilts of Thanks; Sherrie Pals and Diane Riedl, members of the Auxiliary’s Veteran of the Month Committee; recipients Kevin Dressel, Butch Paegelow, Gary Gilstrap and John Meyer; Ann Fields, a member of the Auxiliary committee; Loye Blader of Quilts of Thanks; and Kelly Rieck, chairwoman of the Veteran of the Month Committee. One Veteran of the Month, Norbert Studelska, couldn’t attend the program, so Matousek brought his quilt to him (lower photo). Top photo above by Sam Arendt.

Special gifts for special veterans

Waukesha, WI

Geraldette K. “Teddy” Didier, age 90, of Forest Ridge Drive in Saukville, Wis., died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, March 19, 2023. She was born on Oct. 5, 1932, with her twin sister Geraldine “Geri” in Sebeka, Minn. She was the daughter of Victor J. and Suzanne Aultman Didier.

Geraldette K. “Teddy” Didier

Cedar Grove-Belgium Elementary School held a youth art month celebration on March 21 featuring students’ work. Above (from left) students Kinsley Zimmermann, Mia Hoeppner and Liberty Spriggs showed off their awards. Kindergartners and first, second, third and fourth-graders received awards, and the kindergartners performed in the elementary school cafeteria. Photo by Sam Arendt.

Rising art stars

Plymouth, WI

After enshrining 18 drivers, track workers and racing families among the inaugural Class of 2022, the Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame will add a new set of 19 names to the list of esteemed honorees as part of the Class of 2023 Plymouth Racing Wall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, July 15.

Plymouth to induct 11 drivers into racing hall of fame

City owes millions of dollars in accrued sick leave payouts, delays filling vacancies until money can be recouped. City of Port Washington employees have accrued so much sick time that the city is liable for a payout in the millions of dollars when these workers retire, aldermen learned last week.

Port to pay a steep price for sick leave policy

The annual Hippity Hoppity Easter egg hunt and bonnet contest will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1, in Port Washington’s Upper Lake Park. Check in starts at 9:45 a.m. The event will begin with a sing-along and follow with the egg hunt for children ages 2 to 9 at 10:15 a.m.

Egg hunt, bonnet contest Saturday

MEMBERS OF Port Washington High School’s a cappella group Limited Edition and their director, Dennis Gephart, as well as the school’s extracurricular ensemble FOCUS, received a send-off from parents and other fans at the high school before competing in the Varsity Vocals International Championship of High School A Cappella Great Lakes Semifinal at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Saturday, March 25. Limited Edition finished third of 11 groups. While that isn’t good enough to advance to the final round in New York City, the group is now competing with second and third-place finishers from other semifinal rounds for a single wild card invite to the championship. FOCUS, which made its first trip to the semifinal and gave Port High the distinction of having two groups in the competition, did not place in the top three. It was a busy night for Gephart, who just before the competition received a certificate of excellence for choral music instruction from the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee in the atrium of the Bradley Symphony Center. He then had to sprint to the nearby Pabst Theater to catch the competition.

Quite a night for Port High’s music program

Manitowoc, WI

Cedarburg, WI

OZAUKEE’S PAIGE KURLINSKI, (left, at last year’s state meet) won the shot put at the Pam Kjono Invite at Manitowoc Lincoln on Saturday. Star distance runner Owen Klaus (below) was third in the 800-meter run and fourth in the 1,600 at the Earl Hebert Invite at Manitowoc Lincoln last Friday. Press file photos.

Ozaukee boys and girls finish eighth at Manitowoc Lincoln

The Village of Belgium Public Safety Committee decided to put a trailer on Main Street to track the speed of vehicles. Trustee Rose Sauers told the Village Board this month that a “concerned citizen remarked about an uptick in speeding, particularly among semis.”. Lt. Bradley Arndt of the Ozaukee...

Speed trailer is coming to Main Street

NewsBreak

Nettesheim, board ink interim school chief contract

Superintendent deal gives business director her old job back if she wants it, pays her $169,000. After two months of negotiations, the Port Washington-Saukville School District...

Nettesheim, board ink interim school chief contract

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