Berlin Journal Newspapers

09/03/2025

ATTENTION ... Error noted in this week's Omro Herald ...

Following this week's press run, an error was discovered in this week's September 4 edition of the Omro Herald. During the layout process, the same article was inadvertently included under two separate headlines on the front page.

The headline "Winnebago County ATV/UTV ordinance in effect" correctly contains the article regarding the ordinance.

The headline "Southern Winnebago EMS contracts with Lifestar EMS service provider" mistakenly and incorrectly also includes the ATV/UTV article, in its entirety.

Recognizing the importance of the ongoing EMS story to our readers in the greater Omro area, the correct article, in its entirety, is included in this post (please see attached picture), and will also be published in next week's September 11 edition of the Omro Herald.

We apologize for this inadvertent error and any confusion it may have caused. We also appreciate your understanding that we are only human, and while mistakes do happen, because we strive for accuracy with every article, we must also acknowledge when a mistake has been made, because, I as like to say, pobody's nerfect.

Thank you again for your understanding and your trust in us.

Scott Mundro
Editor
Berlin Journal Newspapers

08/29/2025

The Foxes knock off the Wolves with a 4-3 victory to stay perfect on the season!

Landon Thao scored a pair of goals to lead Omro in the victory, while Cade Boynton and Braydden Gomez-Wagner both found the back of the net as well.

Omro entered halftime with a 2-0 advantage, and was able to hold off Winneconne late to seal the big win.

Berlin’s soccer squad also remains undefeated with a 9-2 win over Campbellsport this afternoon, after beating Little Chute on Tuesday.

Congratulations to both teams for your great start to the season, and be sure to see the full stories in next week’s editions of the Berlin Journal and Omro Herald!

08/27/2025

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stopped by Markesan City Hall this morning, Wednesday, August 27, to meet with municiple leaders from Markesan as well as the communities of Clyman, Lomira and Iron Ridge.

The topic at hand was federal and state funding for local streets and utility projects in rural areas; funding that is allowing all four communities to move forward with necessary infrastruture projects, each of which is breaking ground in the coming year

For a full wrap-up of the visit, be sure to check out next week’s September 4 editions of the Markesan Regional Reporter, Green Lake Reporter, Princeton Times-Republic and Berlin Journal.

08/26/2025

"Missing" Kayaker Sentenced ... (3-minute read)

A little over a year since he was first reported missing, Ryan Borgwardt, who attempted to fake his own drowning in Big Green Lake in early August, 2024, only to flee the country and eventually arrive in Georgia, in Europe, returned to Green Lake County Circuit Court this afternoon to be sentenced on the lone misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer.

The two sides submitted a plea agreement that would see Borgwardt pay $30,000 in restitution, plus court costs, and serve 45 days in county jail. Not bound by the submitted agreement, Judge Mark T. Slate agreed to the $30,000 in restitution, but ordered Borgwardt to serve 89 days, which is equal to the amount of time he evaded authorities from August 11 until early-November 2024, when the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office made contact with him by email.

Speaking exclusively with Berlin Journal Newspapers following the sentencing, when asked if he felt justice had been served, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll responded, "[It] depends what your definition of 'justice' is. ... In this instance, what we wanted, we got, and that was bringing him home to his family."

During the sentencing, Green Lake County District Attorney Gerise Laspisa spoke on the requested restitution, stating that Wisconsin State Statutes have specific guidelines for what can be reimbursed through restitution, noting that equipment costs and personnel hours during the initial 58-day search, in Big Green Lake, for Borgwardt, resulted in expenditures of $35,522.72 by the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office and $15,604.32 by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Speaking with Chief Deputy Matt Vande Kolk of the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, Berlin Journal Newspapers was told that the $30,000 in restitution -- paid by Borgwardt last week to the Green Lake County Clerk of Courts, leading up to his sentencing, will be prorated between the Sheriff's Office and the DNR.

For the full story, be sure to see this week's August 28 edition of the Green Lake Reporter, Markesan Regional Reporter, Berlin Journal, Princeton Times-Republic and Omro Herald.

08/23/2025

Berlin Kiwanis Corn / Bean Sale Delayed…

We have been notified that the Berlin Kiwanis Corn and Bean Sale (previewed on Page 5 of this week’s August 21 Berlin Journal) has been delayed until about noon today due to unforeseenable circumstances causing a delay in the corn and beans getting to Berlin.

08/20/2025

It's been a busy week throughout the Berlin Journal Newspapers coverage area, from farmers markets to shrimp boils, from park groundbreakings to raffle drawings and from one "first day of school" to preseason football scrimmages.

For all the news that's fit to print in your neck of the woods, be sure to pick up a copy of your hometown newspaper, the Berlin Journal, Green Lake Reporter, Omro Herald, Princeton Times-Republic and Markesan Regional Reporter, arriving at area newsstands later today, and delivered directly to local subscribers in Thursday's mail.

08/15/2025

Schools across the Berlin Journal Newspapers coverage area are gearing up for the opening night of football season, which is now only a week away!

With practices starting last week, be sure to pick up a copy of your hometown newspaper to read about your hometown team in the Berlin Journal, Omro Herald, Markesan Regional Reporter, Princeton Times-Republic and Green Lake Reporter, all on area newsstands now, and delivered directly to local subscribers homes, every Thursday, throughout the football season.

08/14/2025

UPDATE: 8 a.m., August 15 -- All phone lines, both incoming and outgoing, appear to be working! Hooray!

****

Original Post:

As many of you may also be experiencing, Berlin Journal Newspapers' phone lines are currently down, and we have received no timeline for when this issue may be resolved.

We're also aware that phones were down at Green Lake County offices, but we are unsure, at this time, how far reaching this issue is, as it seems to be a widespread issue.

With the internet still operations, to contact us, please utilize our emails for your following needs:

news : [email protected]
ads: [email protected]
classifieds: [email protected]
printing: [email protected]

Thank you for your patience. We've been told

08/13/2025

A heads up from our friends at the Markesan Historical Society! If you're planning on helping volunteer for their cemetery stone cleaning, please note that the date is moved to Friday due to weather.

📢📢 🚨🚨Date & Time Change!🚨🚨📢📢

Due to the forecast for storms on Saturday, we are moving the Cemetery cleaning to Friday, August 15, from 3 to 7pm, or until volunteers run out!

Clothes you don't mind getting dirty is recommended. All materials will be supplied. Chips and water will be available.

https://www.facebook.com/share/15G9HNcUMV/

08/09/2025

If you’re looking for lunch, look no further than Crossroads Market in Green Lake where Green Lake County Crime Stoppers is working in the brat shack, serving up brats, hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs with ice cold soda and water until 2 p.m.

Stop on by and check it out!!!

08/09/2025

From the National Weather Service in Green Bay, the area may be seeing some harsh weather starting late tonight and continuing into tomorrow ...

"Multiple rounds of strong to potentially severe thunderstorms will be possible late night (after midnight) through Saturday evening. First round will come as a weakening complex of storms moves across northern Wisconsin late tonight (Friday). The second round is expected to develop Saturday afternoon and continue through the evening.

This second round has the potential to produce the strongest storms of this period, however, if morning storms and lingering cloud cover persist into the afternoon, that may limit the severe weather potential later in the day.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is also expected to be hot and HUMID, so be sure to stay hydrated if you're outside ... so maybe just don't spend too much time outside tomorrow, or don't do any really physically demanding stuff.

Take care of you and your loved ones!

08/08/2025

BEACH CLOSURE ISSUED FOR HATTIE SHERWOOD in GREEN LAKE

Today the Green Lake Association (GLA) identified a harmful blue-green algae bloom in the water at Hattie Sherwood Beach. The Green Lake County Public Health Department issued a beach closure until further notice.

GLA is actively monitoring the situation and staying in communication with the health department. The beach will reopen once we confirm the algal bloom is no longer present.

Please avoid swimming and keep pets out of the water in the affected area. The microcystin toxins present in the bloom poses significant risks, especially to children and dogs who may ingest water.

Blue-green algae are a natural part of Wisconsin's water bodies, thriving in warm, nutrient-rich conditions. Increased phosphorus runoff and high temperatures contribute to these blooms.

Berlin Journal Newspapers will continue to monitor the situation, through GLA, and update the community accordingly.