Regency Suites now Hotel Sierra

The former Regency Suites in downtown Green Bay has reopened as Hotel Sierra Green Bay, with new touches of comfortable luxury in Green Bay’s only downtown all-suite, full-service hotel.

Total refurbishment of Hotel Sierra Green Bay included renovations in all 242 guest rooms as well as in the atrium, front desk area and meeting room space.

Hotel Sierra Green Bay now features an open eight-story atrium filled with lit palm trees, porcelain tiles, warm rugs, oversized lamps, zebra woods and other natural elements. The suites feature 32-inch high-definition flat-screen televisions, granite wet bars with mini-refrigerators and microwaves, Sharper Image® iPod® docking stations and spa-inspired bath amenities, including waffle terry robes.

Additional Hotel Sierra Green Bay services and amenities include complimentary breakfast with made-to-order omelettes; fitness center with expanded cardio and weights; indoor pool, whirlpool and steam room; on-site masseuse by appointment from Renewal Spa; guest laundry and dry cleaning services; complimentary shuttle service; and a renovated Champions Club, an executive conference room with specialty catering and 1,200 square feet of meeting space.

The customary evening social hour will also soon be transformed to a premium wine and beer lounge with salads, fresh-baked pizzas and specialty appetizers. Following the Evening Bistro, guests can also enjoy dinner at The Pub, a full-service restaurant and bar, open seven days a week.

“We are extremely excited to bring the Hotel Sierra experience here to the Green Bay community,” said Blaze Brigman, general manager of Hotel Sierra Green Bay. “The goal of our renovation was to provide unexpected luxuries along with the comfort, services and amenities that our sophisticated guests have come to expect when they travel. We are confident that the new Hotel Sierra Green Bay will exceed these expectations.”

Hotel Sierra Green Bay is attached to the KI Convention Center.

Blending unexpected touches of luxury and pampering with an authentically comfortable and contemporary lifestyle, the newly-refreshed Hotel Sierra brand aims to satisfy the aspirational mindset of its clientele, according to a Hotel Sierra news release.

Packers–Blizzard charity softball game June 8

National Football League and indoor football players will meet on a softball diamond to benefit Caritas Adult Day Services.

The Packer vs. Blizzard Celebrity Charity Softball Game will be held at Joannes Stadium in Green Bay Sunday, June 8 at 3 p.m. Proceeds and donations for the game will go toward the creation of scholarships for 800 people with medical needs, including prescription drugs and medical equipment.

The game will begin with a home run derby, with each player paired with a child who will win a prize if his or her player hits a home run. A silent auction will feature autographed jerseys and baseball bats. A Meet and Greet autograph session with players also will be held.

Tickets will go on sale June 14 at the Green Bay Bullfrogs Ticket Office, 1306 Main St., Green Bay. Tickets are $35 for dugout club seats, $25 for reserved seating, and $15 for general admissions.

For more information, call (920) 544-1778.

Candidates for Congress in ’08, governor in ’10

This fall’s Eighth Congressional District race apparently will be a rematch of the 2006 election between Democrat Steve Kagen and Republican John Gard.

Kagen (D–Appleton) received 51 percent of the vote to defeat Gard, former speaker of the Assembly, in 2006. Gard announced in April that he’s running, and both Kagen and Gard have campaign Web sites.

Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers reports that several other potential candidates have decided against running, including former Green Bay Mayor Paul Jadin, outgoing state Rep. Steve Wieckert (R–Appleton), and state Rep. Frank Lasee (R–De Pere).

Meanwhile, the 2010 governor race has its first official candidate, Mark Todd, the owner of three businesses. Todd is holding a meet-and-greet session at the Appleton Public Library Tuesday, May 20 from 5 to 7 p.m.

“I’m running for governor because I feel called to do whatever I can to improve crucial social and financial situations in our state,” says Todd, who is running as a Republican. “Our structure of self-government is being replaced by a system of self-seeking entities instead of a government of, by, and for the people. Many in various forms of authority have abandoned the basic principle on which this country was founded, and that is that our rights are God-given and we have to exercise any authority we may have with respect for this reality.”

Gov. James Doyle has not decided about running for a third term. Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton has been quoted as saying she would “seriously consider” running if Doyle chose not to run.

Oneida discuss payouts for casino profits

Voting Members of the Oneida Tribe will take a look into their one-time per-capita payments from casino profits ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 Saturday.

Saturday’s proposal has six options for the Tribe to consider. In five of the proposals, the offer is a one-time payment with totals ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 per capita. The sixth option could raise the annual per-capita payment from $800 to either $1,200, $2,000 or $2,500.

These changes could cost the tribe anywhere from $89 million to $322 million.

Last year’s one-time per-capita payout totaled $88 million, dispersed to the approximately 16,000 Oneida tribe members in Wisconsin. The payment ranged from $5,000 to $10,000.

The General Tribe meeting starts Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Turtle Elementary School, N7125 Seminary Rd., Oneida. Doors open at 8 a.m.

Three of Fortune 1000 in Northeast Wisconsin

Three companies on the 2008 Fortune 1000 are headquartered in Northeast Wisconsin:

• Oshkosh, ranked 383rd.
• The Manitowoc Co., ranked 551st.
  
• Bemis of Neenah, ranked 586th.

Wisconsin is the home of 10 Fortune 500 companies and 24 Fortune 1000 companies. The largest company in the state is Johnson Controls of Milwaukee, which ranks 72nd.

Texas passed New York for headquartering the most Fortune 500 companies, 58 vs. New York's 55; California has 52 to place third. Eleven states -- Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming -- have no Fortune 500 companies headquartered in their states.

Neenah students building Quarry Quest storage

Miron Construction Co., Inc., Michels Materials and Stock Lumber are giving students from Neenah High School the opportunity to see and work on a real construction project, which will provide storage for Quarry Quest.

The firms are splitting the cost of materials for the new storage garage being constructed at Michels Materials Quarry in Neenah.

Quarry Quest, an exciting family outing and fundraiser that has raised more than $650,000 for various children’s charities throughout the Fox Cities, offers hands-on educational activities, quarry tours and opportunities to ride and explore giant construction machinery.

The 35 students involved in the project are members of Neenah High School’s Building Construction Technologies Class, a carpentry class that teaches students to use the tools of the trade, as well as best practices for construction. The semester-long class requires that students actually take part in the construction of a garage in the community.

“I enjoy working on projects like this because it allows me to expand my knowledge of construction,” says Derek Laeyendecker, a junior at Neenah High School. “It’s also a great way to learn how to communicate and work well with my peers.”

Upon completion, the garage will measure 28 feet by 34 feet. Currently, students have all of the walls up and half of the roof sheaved with plywood. Shingles are expected to be finished soon. The process typically takes between six to eight weeks to complete with students onsite for a total of two hours per day. The first class meets at Michels Materials Monday through Friday from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and the second class meets from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Craig Uhlenbrauck, Miron’s vice president of marketing, says he is “excited to get local students involved in a project that will benefit Quarry Quest, as well as give them a glimpse into the real-world use of construction methods and techniques. The need was certainly there for dry storage for materials used every year at Quarry Quest, so we’re happy that we were able to get such skilled students to help bring the project to life.”

Brown County Home Builders Association announces high school home plan competition winners

Winners for the 44th annual High School Home Plan Contest sponsored by the Brown County Home Builders Association are as follows:

CAD -- I Architectural Design by Computer
1st - Ryan Cravillion of Green Bay Preble
2nd - Andy Pierre of Pulaski
3rd - Jamie Stark of Green Bay Preble

CAD -- II Architectural Design by Computer
1st - Kayla Nelson of Pulaski
2nd - Jeff Nooyen of Pulaski
3rd - Spencer Dohms of Bay Port

Schneider National to operate U.S.’ most efficient fleet

Schneider National, Inc., a premier provider of transportation, intermodal and logistics services and the nation’s largest truckload carrier, announced today its plans to operate the most energy-efficient fleet in the industry.

The effort, which builds upon the company’s 30-year track record of environmental stewardship, was announced at a news conference today in Washington, D.C., as the American Trucking Associations unveiled its strategies for minimizing the carbon footprint of the trucking industry.

“Operating an energy-efficient fleet, conserving fuel and minimizing our environmental impact have always been a part of how we conduct business,” says Chris Lofgren, president and CEO of Schneider National. “Since 1978, we’ve been improving our equipment and training our drivers to be responsible stewards. Today, we’re announcing our plans to take our efforts to an even higher level by committing to run the most energy-efficient fleet in the industry.”

According to Lofgren, Schneider will expand its fuel conservation efforts starting immediately when it voluntarily slows down its fleet to 60 mph.

“This slowdown is made possible by a group of more than 10,600 highly committed and professional drivers who are willing to do the right things to serve the customer and the environment,” said Lofgren.

The environmental impact of just a three-mile-per-hour reduction is significant: The effort will reduce the fleet’s consumption of diesel fuel by more than 3.75 million gallons per year and reduce truck CO2 emissions by 83.25 million pounds per year — the equivalent of taking 7,259 cars off the nation’s highways.

Schneider’s announcement came in conjunction with the release of the industry’s overall plan for addressing sustainability. The company served on the ATA’s Sustainability Task Force, which was charged with developing the industry plan.

“Schneider National supports the ATA’s strategies for reducing the trucking industry’s carbon footprint,” said Lofgren. “As an industry leader, we are proud to already meet — and in many cases exceed — what the ATA is calling on the industry to do to reduce our environmental impact.”

During the news conference, Lofgren pointed to several examples of how his company is already living out the ATA’s sustainability strategies:

• Schneider National was the first truckload carrier to sign on to the
  Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWaySM Transport Partnership. The fleet’s EPA scores for fuel efficiency and emissions are among the best in the industry.
  
• The company’s aggressive stance on idling dates back to 1978 when the carrier pioneered driver incentives for idle reduction and fuel management. Schneider trucks currently idle half the industry average.
• Schneider National’s fuel management program is industry-leading. The 60 mph speed limit clearly meets what the ATA is calling on carriers to do. This change makes Schneider National the most energy-efficient fleet in the industry.

“We applaud Schneider National for their pioneering efforts toward improved energy efficiency in the trucking industry," said Jim Sweetnam, chief executive officer of Eaton Corp.’s Truck Group. “They are constantly challenging us to help them improve tractor efficiencies and to develop emission reduction initiatives. Sustainability for Eaton Corp. is as important to us as it is to Schneider National — both in our operations and in the sustainable offerings we provide to our customers.”

Lofgren challenged carriers large and small, drivers and the motoring public to do their parts to conserve and protect the nation’s valuable natural resources. “We encourage others in our industry to do more. Examine your operations closely. What more can you do? What more can the industry do? Let’s roll up our sleeves, carriers and drivers together, and set an example that other companies, drivers and the motoring public will be inspired to follow. I encourage everyone to look into their operations and meet the voluntary environmental challenges by committing to the EPA’s SmartWay™ program.”

Following the news conference, Lofgren and a contingency of ATA officials presented the industry’s plan to President Bush’s Council of Economic Advisors at the White House.

Schneider to slow trucks to 60 mph

By Rick Romell
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The trucking industry’s largest lobbying group today called for a nationwide 65 mph speed limit, longer trailers and other steps in an effort to cut greenhouse-gas emissions and save billions of gallons of fuel.

Meanwhile, Green Bay-based Schneider National Inc., one of the country’s biggest trucking firms, went still further: The company will voluntarily cut the top cruising speed on its 10,600 tractors to 60 mph, President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Lofgren said during a press conference announcing the industry initiative.

Schneider's slowdown — the firm currently caps cruising speeds at 63 mph — will be equivalent to taking more than 7,200 cars off the highways, Lofgren said, and will save 3.75 million gallons of fuel a year.

“We encourage others in the industry to make this commitment with us,” Lofgren said.

Limiting cars and trucks to 65 mph could conserve more than 11 billion gallons of diesel and gasoline over 10 years, the American Trucking Associations said in announcing its sustainability proposals.

That would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 116 million tons, the organization said. Carbon dioxide is the chief source of the so-called greenhouse effect and, many scientists say, of global warming.

The trucking group also called for longer combination trailers or higher weight allowances — a proposal likely to draw fire from highway safety advocates — elimination of nearly 500 traffic bottlenecks and government incentives for trucking companies to install devices that reduce idling.

Tomorrow’s Manitowoc business leaders

The Chamber Manitowoc County has announced the graduation of 24 Manitowoc County high school students who participated in the Junior Leadership Manitowoc County program sponsored by Dominion.

The nine-month program exposes the students to the many vital aspects of Manitowoc County. The students arrive at the Chamber on the second Wednesday of each month, board a bus and embark on a day full of learning, exploring and networking with their peers. Sessions include history and heritage, team-building, human services, government, public safety, local economy, healthcare, diversity, agriculture and education.

Graduates are:

Roncalli High School: Matthew Peters, Danielle Gresl, Michael Reindl, Andrew Schiesl, Devan Scherer.

Mishicot High School: Danielle Lipski, Jesse Dirkman.

Two Rivers High School: Paige Collins, Caitlyn Clarksen, Zachary Derenne, Melissa Gadzala.

Lutheran High School: Andrea Shambeau, Lauren Kadow, Alyson Hankwitz, Abigail Arndt.

Valders High School: Jonah Salm, Alissa Stutte, Briana Ellis, Jared Hutterer.

Lincoln High School: Stacy Eaton, Dan Kurtzweil, Jackie Wronkowski, Tyler Wilke.

Homeschool: Elizabeth Vallis.

Valley Home Builders gives awards

The Valley Home Builders Association has given out three annual awards:

• Builder Member of the Year: Mike Gibbons of GTS Construction is past president of the VHBA. He has served on many VHBA committees, including Home Expo, Parade of Homes, and the Green Building Task Force. He is on the boards of directors of the VHBA and the Wisconsin Builders Association.
• Affiliate Member of the Year: David Eisele of Martinson & Eisele Inc. has been the chairman of VHBA’s Government Affairs Committee for several years. He has been a partner with Martinson & Eisele for nearly 30 years, during which the company has grown to 49 employees.
• Associate Member of the Year: Darren Huff of Watters Plumbing is a local Cubmaster and Junior Achievement volunteer, has worked on several Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity projects, and has facilitated several blood drives for the Community Blood Center. He is a director for the Wisconsin Builders Association and is the 2008 chair of VHBA’s Education Committee.

ITW outbids Manitowoc for restaurant equipment company

By Rick Romell
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Illinois Tool Works Inc. has topped Manitowoc Co.’s offer for English firm Enodis PLC, agreeing to pay $2.1 billion for the manufacturer of restaurant equipment.

Manitowoc, which makes cranes, ships and ice machines, last month bid $1.89 billion for Enodis.

Enodis recommended accepting the Illinois Tool offer after considering ''transaction certainty, from an antitrust perspective, and the higher price,'' Peter Brooks, the London-based company's chairman, said in a statement.

Manitowoc had pursued Enodis in part to boost the Wisconsin firm's presence in Europe, where it has only a small share of the food-equipment industry. Combined, the two businesses would have about $2 billion in annual revenue - up from $438 million that Manitowoc's food-equipment division had in 2007.

After the announcement by Illinois Tool Works, Manitowoc said it "is considering its position and will make a further announcement in due course."

Dumping duties sought by Appleton approved

The U.S. Department of Commerce has ruled against German and Chinese paper companies who are alleged to have sold their products below fair value in the U.S.

The department ruled that certain Chinese producers and exporters of lightweight thermal paper sold the product in the United States at prices below fair value, and imposed preliminary duties of 132.95 percent on those products. One of the Chinese producers will receive a duty of 2.3 percent.

The department also affirmed that certain German producers and exporters of lightweight thermal paper sold that product in the U.S. at prices below fair value, and imposed preliminary duties on those imports 6.49 percent.

“We appreciate the consideration and review given to our cases so far by the Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission,” said Mark Richards, Appleton’s chief executive officer, in a statement Wednesday. “We are encouraged by today’s Commerce Department preliminary rulings because these help level the playing field on which to compete. We trust that the ongoing reviews and audits of market data by these agencies will confirm our assertions of unfair market conditions and that their final decisions will address those inequities.”

The Commerce Department is currently scheduled to make final determinations on or around July 21 concerning imposing countervailing duties on imports of lightweight thermal paper from China and imposing antidumping duties on imports of lightweight thermal paper from China and Germany, though this date could be extended until approximately Sept. 18. The U.S. International Trade Commission will issue its final decision approximately 45 days after the Commerce Department decisions.

On March 10, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced its preliminary decision to apply the U.S. anti-subsidy law to imports of lightweight thermal paper from China. That decision determined that certain Chinese producers and exporters of lightweight thermal paper received countervailable subsidies as high as 59.5 percent. Subsidies can take many forms such as direct cash payments, preferential tax breaks, loans at terms that do not reflect market considerations and subsidized inputs. The amount of subsidies the foreign producer receives from the government is the basis for the subsidy rate by which the subsidy is offset or “countervailed.”

In September 2007, Appleton filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that the Chinese government is subsidizing the Chinese lightweight thermal paper industry. Foreign governments subsidize industries when they provide financial or other assistance to benefit the production, manufacture or exportation of goods.

Appleton also alleged in its petitions that lightweight thermal paper products, typically used for point-of-sale retail receipts and coupons, imported from China and Germany are being wrongfully dumped in the United States. Dumping occurs when a foreign producer sells goods in the United States at prices below fair value.

Appleton asked the Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission to impose offsetting duties on lightweight thermal paper products imported from those countries.

Boldt named safest construction company

For the sixth time since 1996, The Boldt Company is the winner of top honors among state construction companies for maintaining a safe working environment.

The firm received the grand award in the construction category from the Wisconsin Corporate Safety Awards at the annual Wisconsin Safety and Health Congress Expo April 29. In the 14-year history of the program, Boldt is the only state construction company to win a grand award six times.

The Wisconsin Corporate Safety Awards are sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Safety and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The annual awards program honors businesses for top safety records and recognizes companies that have low injury incidence rates and establish health and safety procedures, policies and track results. Boldt was recognized in the large company division which reviews construction firms with more than 1 million annual payroll hours.

“Our goal is ‘Zero Incidents’ and to make safety an integral part of our everyday culture,” said Jeff Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources and Risk Management, whose company recently launched a re-energized safety campaign nationwide, “Safety: A Way of Life.” “We have an unwavering commitment from senior management that we won’t compromise safety to achieve our business objectives.”

According to Johnson, the firm’s incidence rate has trended well below the national average in the construction industry for many years. At any time, Boldt may have 200 to 300 active jobs nationwide. The firm employs an average of 1,000 direct-hire employees and several hundred subcontractors.

Young profit up, Cumulus estimates down

Young Broadcasting, owner of WBAY-TV (channel 2) in Green Bay, reported a 41 percent increase in operating income to $1.8 million. The profit increase is despite a 1.8 percent decrease in net revenues. According to RBR.com, the company credits the increased profits to a cost reduction program that is estimated to reduce costs by $15 million per year.

Stock analysts are reducing the revenue estimates for Cumulus Broadcasting for the rest of 2008, according to RBR.com. Cumulus has proposed a $1.3 billion buyout of its public stock, but a shareholder vote hasn’t been scheduled. Cumulus owns WNAM (1280 AM), WOSH (1490 AM), WPKR (99.5 FM), WVBO (103.9 FM) and WWWX (96.9 FM) in the Appleton–Oshkosh market, and WDUZ (1400 AM, 107.5 FM), WOGB (103.1 FM), WPCK (104.9 FM), WQLH (98.5 FM) and WZNN (106.7 FM) in the Green Bay market.

New North business plan winners announced

The Northeast Wisconsin Regional Economic Development Partnership and the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of the Wisconsin Innovation Network recently announced the winners of the third annual Northeast Wisconsin Business Plan Contest.

The contest offered entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their respective business plans to a panel of judges, who picked the top five out of 43 entries from throughout Northeast Wisconsin.
GreenList LLC, a real estate firm owned by Ryan Soletski and Marc Kostac of Green Bay, took home first place and a $10,000 prize.

Great Choice Condominium Management LLC, owned by Nancy Johnson of Manawa and Mary Jones of Appleton, was awarded the second place prize of $6,000. Great Choice is an independent condominium management company that offers financial, maintenance, and communication services.

StoneCroft Galleries LLC took home the third place prize of $4,000. Kaethe Gutierrez of New Franken, who owns the company, plans to open a gallery and gift shop with an emphasis on fiber arts.

Fourth place and $3,000 went to VenturePort LLC, a division of Appleton-based Catalyst Performance Group. VenturePort is an online community connecting entrepreneurs with each other and business resources, and is owned by Tod Hanson and Tracy Buzzell.

Caramel Crisp, a café in Oshkosh owned by Chanda Anderson, was awarded fifth place and $2,000.

Productivity, labor costs up in Q1

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that business productivity and labor costs both increased in the first quarter of 2008.

Productivity increased 1.9 percent in the business sector and 2.2 percent in the nonfarm business sector, while unit labor costs increased 2.2 percent in the business sector, according to the BLS. Productivity growth increased faster than in the fourth quarter of 2007. The growth in productivity is attributed to a decrease in hours worked.

Productivity increased 4.1 percent in manufacturing, including 2.3 percent in durable goods manufacturing and 7 percent in nondurable goods manufacturing, according to the BLS.

The decrease in hours worked was the largest since the second quarter of 2003, according to the BLS.

Shopko puts 28 land parcels on the auction block

Shopko is offering 28 parcels of land for sale in an auction to be conducted by Higgenbotham Auctioneers. The Green Bay-based retail chain isn't using the sites, which are adjacent to stores in the Midwest, and range in size from 0.43 acres to 9.36 acres. Fourteen of the parcels are in Wisconsin, next to stores in Kenosha, Madison, Ashwaubenon, Town of Ledgeview and Green Bay.

United Way of Brown County to honor Harlan June 12

The Brown County United Way will host a dinner for Bob Harlan, immediate past president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, in the Lambeau Field Atrium Thursday, June 12.

The “Evening of Memories with Bob Harlan” will feature stories by Harlan, new Packers president Mark Murphy, and other friends and family on regarding Harlan’s 37 years with the Packers and living in the Green Bay community.

Harlan, CEO of the Packers from 1989 to 2007, presided over the resurgence of the Packers, both on the field and financially. Harlan hired Ron Wolf as executive vice president and general manager; Wolf hired Mike Holmgren as coach and traded for quarterback Brett Favre in 1992. The Packers won Super Bowl XXXI, played in Super Bowl XXXII, qualified for the playoffs in 11 seasons, had records of .500 or better in 13 consecutive seasons, and had the National Football League’s best record from 1993 to 2007.

Harlan spearheaded the $295 million renovation of Lambeau Field in the early 2000s, funded in part by the sale of more than 100,000 shares of Packers stock. He made the decision to end the Packers’ games at Milwaukee County Stadium in 1994, with a separate season ticket package for County Stadium ticketholders. Packers merchandise sales annually rank in the top five of the 32 NFL franchises. Sports Business Journal named the Packers the best-run franchise in professional sports in 2003.

Harlan was named to the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame in 2004.

Tables are priced at $1,000, and can include corporate signage. Space is limited, and tables will be offered on a first come, first served basis. All proceeds from the event will go to support the United Way.

To reserve a table, contact Leah at the Brown County United Way, (920) 432-3393 ext. 8658, leah@browncountyunitedway.org.

Photo courtesy Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Kohler buys hotel furniture company

Kohler Co. has purchased Mark David, an upscale upholstered seating manufacturer for the hospitality industry.

Kohler will retain the Mark David brand as part of the Kohler Interiors Group, which includes the Baker Furniture, McGuire Furniture, Ann Sacks and Kallista interior furnishing brands.

WTA: School costs 8.5% above national average

The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance reports that school costs in Wisconsin rank 14th highest in the U.S., 8.5 percent more than the national average.

Wisconsin spent $10,190 per student, with 60.4 percent of those costs for instruction, which is near the national average of 60.2 percent. Spending in all but one other category exceeded the national average — instructional support (libraries and staff training), 8.9 percent more than average; administration, 14 percent more than average; building operations and maintenance, 7.8 percent more than average; and transportation, 2.3 percent more than average. Pupil services, such as counseling, were the only area in which spending was less (7.9 percent) than the national average.

Educator salaries were 16th highest in the U.S. and 2.7 percent more than average. Benefits were 52.5 percent higher than average and sixth highest in the U.S. Instructional costs for items other than compensation, including books and supplies, were 39.7 percent below average.

The largest source of funding for schools in Wisconsin, 52 percent, comes from the state, while local sources, mostly property taxes, add almost 42 percent, according to the WTA. Federal funds total just 6 percent of funding, lower than all but four states.

The ultimate Packers fan gift?

Packers fans will be able to relive 10 of the top games in Packers history thanks to a new DVD that will go on sale by Aug. 20.

Warner Home Video’s Packers edition of “NFL Greatest Games” features the original broadcasts, without commercials, of the 10 games selected in a poll:

• Super Bowl XXXI, the Packers’ 35–21 win over New England.
  
• The Packers’ 42–20 NFC playoff win over Seattle Jan. 12.
• The Packers’ 41–7 Monday Night Football win over Oakland in 2003, in which quarterback Brett Favre, one day after the death of his father, threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns.
• Favre’s first NFL win, over Cincinnati 24–23 in 1992.
• The 2003 NFC Wild Card win over Seattle, 33–27, won on cornerback Al Harris’ overtime interception return.
• The 1997 NFC championship win at San Francisco, 23–10.
• The 48–47 1983 Monday Night Football win over defending Super Bowl champion Washington, which included defensive back Mark Murphy, now the Packers president. The game is the highest scoring game in Monday Night Football history.
  
• The 1995 35–28 win over Chicago in which Favre, playing on a severely sprained ankle, threw for five touchdowns.
• The 1996 23–20 overtime win over San Francisco on Monday Night Football, won on a Chris Jacke 53-yard field goal.
• The 1996 NFC championship win over Carolina, 30–13, clinching the Packers’ first Super Bowl berth in 31 years.

The DVD does not include several famous Packer games, including Super Bowls I and II and the “Ice Bowl” 1967 NFC championship game because complete copies of those original broadcasts are not available.

DVDs can be ordered at www.packersproshop.com and are expected to be available in the Packers Pro Shop by Aug. 20.

Road construction season begins

The state Department of Transportation has begun work on major road projects throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

Projects on which work will occur this year include:

• Brown County: The demolition of the old Front Street Claude Allouez Bridge in De Pere.
• Door County: The Wisconsin 57 four-lane project from the south Door County line to Door County H, including bypasses of Namur and Brussels, scheduled to be completed this year; resurfacing of Wisconsin 42 between Egg Harbor and Fish Creek; rehabilitation of the Michigan Street Bridge in Sturgeon Bay; construction of a new frontage road parallel to Wisconsin 42/57 in Sturgeon Bay.
• Florence County: Reconditioning of Wisconsin 139 from Long Lake to the Michigan state line.
• Fond du Lac County: The completion of the U.S. 151 bypass between Fond du Lac County D and Wisconsin 175, scheduled to be completed in October (175 is closed at the construction site); resurfacing of U.S. 41 north of Fond du Lac County OO and south of U.S. 151/Wisconsin 175; and improvements to the U.S. 41 interchanges at Military Avenue and Hickory Street, from July through January 2010.
• Green Lake County: Reconstruction of Wisconsin 44 between Kingston and Markesan.
• Manitowoc County: Reconstruction of U.S. 10 (Eighth Street between Madison Street and Washington Street, and Madison Street between 10th Street and Eighth Street) in Manitowoc; reconditioning of Wisconsin 67 between Wisconsin 32/57 and U.S. 151.
• Marquette County: Rebuilding of the Wisconsin 23/Marquette County M intersection east of Interstate 39.
• Oconto County: The U.S. 41 bypass from Oconto County S south of Oconto to Marinette County Y at the existing four-lane west of Marinette, expected to be completed in late 2009.
• Outagamie County: The College Avenue Bridge east of downtown Appleton, which will be replaced this year and completed in 2009; the U.S. 41/Outagamie County J interchange, whose overpass bridge will be raised to improve clearance; reconditioning of Wisconsin 76 between Outagamie County JJ and Mason Street in Stephensville, along with resurfacing of 76 between Wisconsin 54 and Bear Creek; expansion of Wisconsin 96 between Wisconsin 76 and U.S. 41 to four lanes, along with repairs between 41 and Outagamie County A (Lynndale Drive); improving Wisconsin 55 (Crooks Avenue) between 18th Street and Seventh Street in Kaukauna; reconstructing Wisconsin 15 between U.S. 45 and Outagamie County CB.
  
• Shawano County: A new Wisconsin 22 Embarrass River bridge, expected to be completed June 1; reconditioning of U.S. 45 between Wittenberg and the Langlade County line.
• Sheboygan County: Bridge decks on Interstate 43 between Wilson–Lima Road and the Black River.
• Waupaca County: Replacement of the Wisconsin 54 Wolf River bridge in Royalton; reconditioning of Wisconsin 110 in Fremont.
• Waushara County: Rehabilitation of bridges on Interstate 39 between Coloma and Plainfield.
• Winnebago County: The U.S. 45 expressway project between Winnebago County G and County II, scheduled to be completed this fall; the Wisconsin 44 (Wisconsin Street) Bridge in Oshkosh, scheduled to be completed this fall; reconstruction of Ohio Street between South Park Avenue and Witzel Avenue in Oshkosh; reconstruction of Wisconsin 114 (Third Street) from Tayco Street to Manitowoc Street in Menasha.

Packers schedule released

The Packers’ 2008 schedule includes four nationally televised games:

PRESEASON:
Aug. 11: Cincinnati (Bishop’s Charities Game), 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Aug. 16: at San Francisco, time TBA (WFRV, WTMJ).
Aug. 22: at Denver, 8 p.m. (WFRV, WTMJ)
Aug. 28: Tennessee (Midwest Shrine Game, Gold Package), 7 p.m. (WFRV, WTMJ)

REGULAR SEASON:
Sept. 8: Minnesota, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Sept. 14: at Detroit, noon (Fox).
Sept. 21: Dallas (Gold Package), 7:15 p.m. (NBC — WGBA, WTMJ)
Sept. 28: at Tampa Bay, noon (Fox).
Oct. 5: Atlanta, noon (Fox).
Oct. 12: at Seattle, 3:15 p.m. (Fox)
Oct. 19: Indianapolis, 3:15 p.m. (CBS)
Nov. 2: at Tennessee, noon (Fox).
Nov. 9: at Minnesota, noon (Fox).
Nov. 16: Chicago (Gold Package), noon* (Fox).
Nov. 24: at New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Nov. 30: Carolina, noon* (Fox).
Dec. 7: Houston, noon* (CBS).
Dec. 14: at Jacksonville, noon* (Fox).
Dec. 22: at Chicago, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Dec. 28: Detroit, noon* (Fox).
* Start times may change to 7:15 p.m. at NBC’s flexible scheduling discretion.

Papermaker NewPage plans stock offering

By Joel Dresang
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Coated papermaker NewPage, which bought Wisconsin-based Stora Enso North America last year, has filed plans to sell common stock through an initial public offering.

NewPage has not set a date or a price for the sale, but for the purpose of calculating its registration fee it proposed a maximum offering of $805 million, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NewPage, with headquarters in Miamisburg, Ohio, is North America's leading producer of coated paper used in magazines, high-end advertisements, and corporate annual reports.

Its 25 paper machines at 12 mills in six states and Nova Scotia include operations in Wisconsin Rapids, Biron, Stevens Point, Whiting, Kimberly, and Niagara. The Wisconsin mills were part of NewPage's $2.6 billion acquisition of most of the former Consolidated Papers Inc., which had been bought by Helsinki-based Stora Enso Oyj in 2000 for $4.4 billion.

Cerberus Capital Management formed NewPage three years ago to acquire the printing papers business of MeadWestvacoCorp.

In its filings, NewPage said it would use proceeds from a public offering to pay off debt. It said it has no intentions to pay cash dividends on its common stock.

The stock would be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NWP.