Feedback sought for facilities referendum
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay School District is seeking feedback from families, staff and community members regarding facilities needs that could be addressed through a potential November 2022 referendum.
The survey will be open until 4 p.m. on Friday, April 29 and will take about 10 minutes to complete.
Visit gbaps.org/survey to find links to the online survey in English or Spanish, or to download a paper copy.
Completed paper surveys can be returned to the district office or to any school office.
Survey responses are anonymous.
County launches mobile app for child support payments
BROWN COUNTY – Brown County has launched a first-of-its-kind in the state mobile application and web-based platform designed to make it easier for clients to make child support payments.
“Getting money into the homes of children should be as secure, timely and convenient as possible,” Brown County Child Support Agency Director Maria Lasecki said. “This TouchPay mobile application provides the technology to achieve that.”
County Executive Troy Streckenbach said mobile app is part of the county’s effort to reimagine services by embracing digital technology.
“This mobile app not only improves the ease of making a child support payment, but it brings us closer to today’s customer-focused business platforms,” Streckenbach said.
TouchPay is available for download through Google Play, the App Store and online at tpchildsupport.com.
Manufacturing startup expands with WEDC help
DE PERE – Quality Service & Machining (QSM), which opened for business in June 2020, is growing with the help of tax credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).
QSM, which shapes industrial component parts out of metal sheets or bars, started with three employees and four computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
The company now has more than 30 employees and 11 CNC machines and a new building in De Pere’s west business park.
“We are finding creative new ways of making parts,” Dylan Griese, co-owner and chief operating officer, said. “We’re collecting data and learning how to make the next part better than the last one.”
Griese said the state tax credits are an important boost.
“As a new company, having money to reinvest in the company is the most important thing you can have,” he said.
Run/walk supports autism awareness
HOWARD – MYLES4AUTISM, a 2.5 mile run/walk held each April during Autism Awareness Month to help raise awareness, returns 9 a.m. April 28.
This is the 11th annual event, and will be held in-person after being virtual the past two years.
Organizers have dubbed the event the “10th Annual 2MYLES4AUTISM Run/Walk – On Repeat.”
The event was started by a group of Meadowbrook Elementary third-graders in 2012 in support of one of their peers, Myles Welnetz, who is on the autism spectrum.
Myles, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 4, graduated from Bay Port High School in 2021. He is currently attending the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in a program sponsored by the Howard-Suamico School District, which helps students with disabilities learn to be independent college learners.
NWTC’s 34th annual car show
GREEN BAY – Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s (NWTC) 34th annual Car Show is back and set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1.
The car-enthusiast event will feature food, music, raffles, awards and more than 800 cars and motorcycles.
As in years past, NWTC’s Auto Club will donate a vehicle to an area nonprofit, which it will reveal during the event.
Admission is $4 per person, with a $1 discount with a non-perishable food item.
Children under 12 and seniors are free.
All proceeds from the event benefit NWTC students, through scholarships and future service-learning projects for the Auto Club.
Institute for Women’s Leadership receives grant
GREEN BAY – The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Institute for Women’s Leadership received a $10,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation to create and fund a workforce development certificate.
The grant will enable 100 candidates to earn a certificate at no cost.
“The Workforce Development Certificate bridges the equity gap by providing workforce skills training to underserved or overlooked individuals, while equipping them with key foundational skills necessary in all work environments,” said Janet Bonkowski, Women’s Leadership executive director.
The check was presented Thursday, April 14 at the Institute’s “Celebrate 2022: Women on the Rise” event at the Weidner Center.
Rohr wins 2022 science teaching award
SEYMOUR – Dennis Rohr, a science teacher at Seymour High School, was recently recognized by the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST) with the Excellence in Science Teaching award.
Rohr has been teaching science, including biology and earth science, at the high school for the past 21 years.
“(Rohr) has proven time and time again to be a strong advocate for all students and an incredible colleague for both our special education staff, as well as our regular education teachers,” Seymour Principal Thomas Mueller said.
Fire on Green Bay’s east side
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Metro Fire Department (GBMFD) responded to a house fire in the 900 block of Smith Street April 14.
GBMFD crews from Station 2 extinguished the fire, which was contained to the kitchen area of the lower apartment, in under five minutes.
Officials said no one was home at the time, and two dogs were rescued and did not appear to be injured.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by GBMFD fire marshals.
Residents of all 3 apartments will be displaced.
Meyer Services to join Elexco, Inc.
SEYMOUR – Elexco, Inc. recently welcomed Meyer Services, Inc., of Greenville, to its organization as part of an ongoing growth strategy.
“It is important to Elexco that we continue to provide quality service,” Jeff Seidl, president of Elexco, said. “We’ve worked with Meyer Services over the years and respect what they bring to the table… Together we’re even stronger in our knowledge and service offerings.”
Dan Meyer, former Meyer Services owner, said the Meyer family has been “waiting for the right time and opportunity to join forces with a larger organization.”
“Now is that time, and Elexco is the perfect organization,” he said.
Elexco specializes in wireless construction, fiber and telecom, power and energy, civil infrastructure, water, sewer, drainage, environmental and design-build sectors.
Meyer provides underground and aerial services, including buried cable and conduit construction, telecommunication services and utility-related services.
All operations and services based at the current Meyer services location in Greenville will be transitioned to the Elexco corporate headquarters in Seymour.
Rockers on hunt for a Rhodie
ASHWAUBENON – The Green Bay Rockers are looking for Rhodie the mascot.
Auditions will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27 to determine who will don the costume for the 2022 season.
Interested candidates should report to the Team Apparel Fan Shop at Capital Credit Union Park.
Candidates must be at least 16 years of age to try out, and all candidates will be asked to perform an original dance.
Sign-up can be done on the Rocker’s website.
New Denmark, Green Bay draw highest voter turnout
BROWN COUNTY – The Town of New Denmark and the City of Green Bay are the winners of the Voter Challenge from Project VOTE of Brown County.
The two municipalities had the highest voter turnout percentages in their respective categories for the April 5 election.
New Denmark had a turnout of 34.8% of registered voters to win the Green Division trophy for Brown County municipalities with populations below 10,000.
The voter turnout in Green Bay was 25.8%, the highest percentage among the larger municipalities that make up the Gold Division.
It’s the third Voter Challenge victory for New Denmark and the second for the city of Green Bay.
Founded in 2002, Project VOTE of Brown County is a volunteer organization dedicated to increasing informed voter turnout in Brown County.
Community rummage sale set for May 6-7
HOWARD – The Howard Community Rummage Sale is just weeks away, with registration to be included in the map, which can be done online, ending April 27.
Printed maps for the sale will be available at Howard Village Hall and Kimps Ace Hardware starting Monday, May 2.
It will also be available online at villageofhoward.com/381/Annual-Spring-Rummage-Sale, as well as on Facebook.
Packers name Shopko Optical official partner
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers named Shopko Optical as its official eye care partner.
Shopko Optical, which was previously a part of the Green Bay-based former retail chain, has more than 120 locations in 12 states, with the company headquarters in Green Bay.
Shopko Optical will also serve as the naming rights partner for the playground at Titletown, just west of Lambeau Field.
Central library closed next week
BROWN COUNTY – The Brown County Central Library will be closed from April 24-29 for library reorganization.
The pickup window will be open during normal central library hours, except for Sunday, April 24.
Previously scheduled meetings will take place in the lower level, but storytime has been canceled.
All other library locations will remain open.
Green Bay Metro eliminates masking requirement
GREEN BAY – Face masks are no longer required on city buses, Green Bay Metro (GBM) announced Tuesday, April 19.
GBM said riders may still wear a mask if they would like.
Riders are encouraged to stay home when sick, and GBM will maintain its cleaning practices.
The announcement came one day after a federal judge voided a national mask mandate covering public transportation.