Manitowoc officer, firefighter and citizens of the year named. Here are the recipients, plus more news in weekly dose.

MANITOWOC - Manitowoc Noon Rotary, in partnership with the Manitowoc Police and Fire departments, has announced the following 2022 award honorees:

  • Bruce Tuma, Officer of the Year;

  • Jason Pielhop, Firefighter of the Year;

  • Robert and Maria Forster, Manitowoc Police Department Citizens of the Year; and

  • Jamiya Gilbert and Jezebel Grossman, Manitowoc Fire Rescue Citizens of the Year.

Here’s more about the award recipients:

Bruce Tuma: Tuma was nominated by his three supervisors and a co-worker and is recognized for his positive attitude, excellent work ethic, composure and professionalism. He has served in the department’s Honor Guard, represented the department in numerous parades, and participated in “Stuff the Squad,” helping collect food for families in need. In addition to his patrol duties, Tuma is a field training officer. A police officer since May 2019, Tuma is in line for promotion to patrol lieutenant.

Jason Pielhop
Jason Pielhop

Jason Pielhop: Pielhop started his career with the city in 1997 and was promoted to motor pump operator in March 2005. He was instrumental in the vision, design and implementation of the department’s Computer Aided Dispatch program. He worked collaboratively with stakeholders from Manitowoc County Joint Dispatch Services, Imagetrend Elite, Manitowoc Public Utilities, Manitowoc Police Department and his peers. The project has enhanced the department’s “out the door times,” decreased out of service time, and improved readiness to prepare for the next emergency. Pielhop is recognized for his effort, time and dedication to the project.

Maria and Robert Forster
Maria and Robert Forster

Robert and Maria Forster: The Forsters have been serving the Manitowoc Police Department and their community for more than 20 years. They have provided Spanish interpretation and translation for local law enforcement. In 2022, they responded to more than 20 requests for assistance. The Forsters have volunteered time to teach Spanish to officers in the Manitowoc Police Department and have created forms to gather basic information from citizens on traffic stops. “Their compassion and dedicated service to their community have provided an invaluable asset to local law enforcement,” a news release said.

Jamiya Gilbert
Jamiya Gilbert
Jezebel Grossman
Jezebel Grossman

Jamiya Gilbert and Jezebel Grossman: Gilbert and Grossman, students at Wilson Middle School, are recognized as Fire Rescue Citizens of the Year for the actions they demonstrated in October 2022, for the importance of the chain of survival and early access to 911. Both quickly responded to the needs of a school staff member, calling 911 and alerting office staff. Their response resulted in a higher chance of survival for the staff member, who was suffering from an aortic aneurysm that later required surgery. Their actions were critical in the successful outcome.

All recipients were honored at an awards ceremony March 2 at the Capitol Civic Centre.

Welcome to your weekly dose.

Here is more news from throughout Manitowoc County in your weekly dose.

Great Decisions continues with ‘China and the U.S.’: The next in the Great Decisions lecture series at Manitowoc Public Library will feature University of Wisconsin-Madison’s David Fields, Ph.D., examining the existing relationship between “China and the U.S.”

David Fields
David Fields

The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. March 6 in the Balkansky Community Room at the library, 707 Quay St., and also be streamed live on the library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

This is the library’s 16th year hosting the grassroots lecture series. Each session begins at 6 p.m. Mondays in the Balkansky Community Room and is also streamed live on the library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Admission is free and no registration is required.

Here’s the rest of the series schedule after the March 6 event:

  • March 13: "Economic Warfare," with Pablo Toral, Ph.D., Beloit College;

  • March 20: "War Crimes," with Kevin Kelly, J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School; and

  • March 27: "Global Famine," with Elizabeth Wheat, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Manitowoc County Historical Society March events: Here’s what’s happening at Manitowoc County Historical Society, 924 Pinecrest Road in Manitowoc, this month.

  • Dine Fundraiser at Port Sandy Bay: 4-8 p.m. March 15. A percentage from each order will help support the society.

  • Winter Work — Lumberjacks, Flapjacks and Syrup: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 16. Make a lumberjack’s breakfast. Learn about the tools, jobs and day-to-day tasks in the lumber camp. Program is targeted to families and homeschool groups. Advanced registration is required.

  • Historic Housewives of Manitowoc County (Hungry for History program): 5:30 p.m. March 23 at Branch Station. Discover the women movers and shakers in Manitowoc County at the turn of the 20th century. A meal follows the program. Advanced registration is required.

  • Sunbonnet Making with Marna Davis: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 24. Join dressmaker and historian Marna Davis for a workshop in historical bonnets. Make and take your own bonnet. Advanced registration is required.

  • Heritage Trades School: March 25 and 26. Join one of these weekend workshops — blacksmithing, carpentry, woodstove cooking and dressmaking — to create and take home a project from one of the society’s workshop options. Spend the weekend immersed in Pinecrest Village and take a bit of 19th-century life and learning with you when you go. Advanced registration is required.

For more details, go to ManitowocCountyHistory.org or call the museum at 920-684-4445.

The museum’s winter hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. McAllister House Welcome Center is open and grounds are open for site strolls. Site stroll admission is $5 and free for MCHS members.

▶ Parkinson’s awareness walk coming to Washington Park in April: “Promenade the Park for Parkinson’s Awareness” will be held at Manitowoc’s Washington Park, 1115 Washington St., from 10 a.m. to noon April 22.

Walk and pledge support for Parkinson’s disease awareness and research. An invocation will be presented by Father Dave Pleier, pastor at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Parish in Two Rivers. Assistance will be provided by the Lasallian Student Youth Group at Roncalli High School.

The event is sponsored by the Manitowoc County Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, an outreach program of the Manitowoc Senior Center.

Northeast Wisconsin Dog Show Classic returns to Manitowoc March 30-April 2: The Northeast Wisconsin Dog Show Classic will return to the Manitowoc County Expo and Ice Center March 30-April 2.

More than 1,000 dogs representing 120 different breeds are expected to participate.

Judge Raymond V. Filburn Jr., right, looks over a Yorkshire Terrier during the Northeast Wisconsin Dog Show Classic at the Manitowoc County Expo Center Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Manitowoc, Wis. Joshua Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Judge Raymond V. Filburn Jr., right, looks over a Yorkshire Terrier during the Northeast Wisconsin Dog Show Classic at the Manitowoc County Expo Center Thursday, March 28, 2019, in Manitowoc, Wis. Joshua Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Dogs are judged for specific characteristics unique to each breed with one dog each day being crowned Best In Show.

The event is open to the public 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Admission is free and parking is $5. The Expo and Ice Center is at 4921 Expo Drive, Manitowoc.

In addition to the dog show, a variety of vendors will also be participating. People can find more details on the Northeast Wisconsin Dog Show Classic Facebook page.

What to expect in 2023

Rendering of a proposed 59-unit “workforce” or affordable housing project by Milwaukee developer Wire Capital Group set for the south end of the vacant Mirro property in downtown Manitowoc.
Rendering of a proposed 59-unit “workforce” or affordable housing project by Milwaukee developer Wire Capital Group set for the south end of the vacant Mirro property in downtown Manitowoc.

Streetwise reporter Patti Zarling shares the big developments to expect in Manitowoc County in 2023 in her look ahead. Click here for the full article.

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This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc police officer, firefighter and citizens of the year named