MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A Manitowoc man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he struck a bicyclist with his vehicle, and kept driving home while the victim was lodged in his windshield.

20-year-old Jamie Hang waived a preliminary hearing Wednesday. He entered not guilty pleas to felony counts of reckless endangerment and hit-and-run causing injury -- plus misdemeanor counts of hit-and-run and causing injury by driving drunk with an excess blood alcohol level.

Hang is scheduled to meet with Manitowoc County prosecutors on March 27th to consider a pre-trial settlement of his case.

Authorities said Hang struck 56-year-old Steven Gove the night of January 18th, while Gove was on a three-wheeled bike finishing deliveries of the Lakeshore Chronicle. The victim escaped with minor injuries.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Another man has been charged in connection with a fight at a Howard home earlier this month.

Brown County sheriff's deputies believe 30-year-old Nicholas Tank drove a group of teenagers back to a house after an earlier fight late on the night of February 7 and 8. 

Five teenagers, including one juvenile, have been charged in the incident that left one man stabbed and another man beaten.

Authorities now say some of the people involved in the fight have gang ties, however it wasn't a matter of one gang against the other.

Tank faces charges of first-degree reckless injury, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, aggravated battery with the intent of great bodily harm and disorderly conduct. A $35,000 cash bond was set for Tank in court Thursday.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Public works officials in Appleton say drivers need to avoid the intersection of Meade Street and Northland Avenue after a crash knocked out the traffic signals.

Authorities expect heavier delays during the afternoon commute.

Work is ongoing and city crews expect to have the lights working again by 7 p.m.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County Sheriff's need your help locating a missing girl they say may be endangered.

15-year-old Chole Karl was last seen on Saturday at a Bay Port High School dance. Karl was reported missing at the time, but she was initially thought to be a runaway.

Capt. David Konrath says what changed was that her purse was found in a ditch along Highway FF at Pine Tree Road in Hobart. Karl's cell phone was not inside her purse. When investigators contacted the service provider to try and track the phone, it was determined the phone had not been active since at least Sunday.

Chloe Karl is described at 5'0", 100 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. A photo of her is above. She was last seen wearing a blue dress, a burgundy wool coat and beige high heel shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brown Co. Sheriff’s Office at (920) 448-4230 and refer to case number 14-8272. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-7867 or by sending a test message with the keyword GBTIP to 274637.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Preble High School student has been charged in connection with a fight on campus earlier this month. 

17-year-old Davion Austin appeared in Brown County Court Thursday and was charged with multiple felony counts, including battery and disorderly conduct.

Prosecutors say Austin was involved in a fight at Preble, and Austin's attorney confirms he is a student there.

Since two fights at Preble took place on campus, police presence at the school increased.

A $1,000 cash bond was set for Austin, who is due back in court next week for his preliminary hearing.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Looks like Green Bay won’t be looking for a new school superintendent. Current Superintendent Michelle Langenfeld was up for a job in her home state of Minnesota.  She was one of three finalists. But according to the Anoka- Hennepin School District, they hired someone else.  Langenfeld previously worked for the Anoka-Hennepin School District before coming to Green Bay a little over two years ago.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Officials with the Green Bay Police Department say they've referred charges or issued citations to 10 people tied to fights at Preble High School earlier this month.

"We have two individuals that are referred to the district attorney's office as adults for criminal charges including disorderly conduct, trespassing and substantial battery," says Green Bay Police Lt. Chad Ramos. "There were four juveniles referred to juvenile intake with charges including disorderly conduct, trespassing and substantial battery."

Ramos adds that four other juveniles have been issued citations ranging from disorderly conduct, trespassing, and battery.

On Thursday, 17-year-old Davion Austin was formally charged with two felony counts of substantial battery and one count of disorderly conduct.

A criminal complaint reveals that Austin and other teenagers were punching and kicking students after classes let out on February 6. One student got a broken jaw.

A school resource officer at Preble reported there were several fights during the school day, according to the complaint. That officer requested extra cops be present at the end of the school day because he heard a fight would take place.

Authorities confirm that some of the teens involved have gang ties.

Ramos wouldn't elaborate any further, but says the investigation is ongoing.

NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - Neenah police had a busy morning Friday.

First, officers were called to the robbery of the Express Convenience Store on S. Commercial Street just before 7 a.m.

Authorities say a male suspect held up the store wearing a nylon stocking over his head and socks on his hands. Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson says he got away with cash and that no one was hurt.

During the investigation, Wilkinson says officers found snow tracks leading west from the gas station and a K-9 unit from the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department was called in to assist.

While officers followed the trail, they came upon some evidence on the ground. As they kept going, they came to a house in the 300 block of Winneconne Avenue and found a meth lab in the garage of the home.

Authorities now say both incidents are connected. Neenah police say the home belongs to the robbery suspect.

He was later arrested after authorities were called to the Appleton Public Library for a theft complaint.

The man’s name is not being released.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A Manitowoc man is accused of embezzling over $300,000 from a Sheboygan firm that makes chairs for health care patients and institutions.

The IRS announced a federal grand jury indictment against 40-year-old Paul La Chapelle Jr. He's scheduled to be arraigned next Thursday on four felony charges of tax evasion, and 10 counts of wire fraud.

According to authorities, La Chapelle was working as a maintenance technician at Nemschoff Chairs in Sheboygan when he began stealing parts from the business in 2009. Officials said he ordered replacement parts, and received 50 percent kickbacks on the values of each order.

Officials said fraudulent payments were wired to La Chapelle's bank account on at least 10 occasions, totaling at least $299,000.

The IRS said he only reported $8,800 as income during that time. He allegedly underpaid his federal income taxes by around $68,000.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) - A house fire in Kaukauna Saturday night forces two residents out in the cold.

Firefighters were called just after 9:30 p.m. to the home on Grignon Street.

The residents got out of the home safely. Authorities say the house had about $60,000 in damage, most of it in the basement.

No word yet on a cause.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Brown County committee will discuss moving a west side Green Bay plant over ongoing odor problems.

Leaders continue to get complaints from people who live near the Sanimax plant, near Highways 29 and 41.

“Some days it’s so terrible that you don’t even want to be outside. It’s really strong,” Nichole Moore, who lives near the plant, tells FOX 11.

The company process animal byproducts and food waste that produces a smell that has led to dozens of complaints from neighbors over the years.

It's been an issue brought up at previous Brown County board meetings. Sanimax officials say they're continually working to cut down on the stench.

The company says it’s spent more than a million dollars on equipment to try to resolve the issue.

“I understand that the business, that they’re in is a smelly business, and we will have an odor every once in a while. But we really want to see them mitigate it, and I don’t know if they are really, truthfully, putting the best resources forward,” Brown County Supervisor Patrick Evans told FOX 11.

A Brown County committee will discuss moving the problematic plant south to county owned land in the town of Holland at a meeting Monday night.

Green Bay alderman Mark Steuer’s district is one area that’s affected by the small.

“I think that Sanimax, they feel that they might be being unduly persecuted on this…that we’re going after them. I think the big thing is that we’re citizens and we just want to see something done,” Steuer said.

In 2012, the Brown County Board considered changing an ordinance that would fine a company based on the number of odor complaints filed. It was not approved.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from a Waupaca County man convicted in a deer "thrill kill" case.

Rory Kuenzi and two other men were convicted of running down deer with their snowmobiles and killing them. A judge sentenced Kuenzi to 11 years in prison.

Kuenzi appealed, claiming the court's sentenced was biased and unfair. An appeals court denied Kuenzi's appeal in August, saying there wasn't enough evidence to support the allegation. 

The state's highest court declined to hear the case last week, meaning the appeals court ruling stands.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Green Bay alderman wants the city to look into banning cell phone use while driving.

Alderman Jerry Wiezbiskie says it's an idea he sees every day, and it became nearly dangerous while he was clearing snow at his Nicolet Drive home.

“I’d say almost 90 percent of the cars that go by, they’re on the telephone,” Wiezbiskie told FOX 11, “And I know they don’t see me!”

In Wisconsin, several cities have passed tougher laws regarding using a cell phone while driving. The idea is to help make the streets safer from inattentive drivers.

The city of Wausau passed an ordinance earlier this month banning drivers from using hand-held electronic devices. Violators would have to fork over $40. However, GPS and hands-free phones are still okay. 

“I think it warrants – actually – a good looking into, basically,” said Wiezbiskie.

The idea is slated to go before a city committee Monday night. A state bill – similar to Wausau’s ordinance – is currently being floated in Madison.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Rescuers and dispatchers in the Green Bay area are working to reduce their emergency response times.

That's after the city's new fire chief said his crews were too slow.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette says about half of the fire department's responses last December took longer than the industry standard of 90 seconds.

Fire Chief David Litton said part of the problem was that dispatchers started the response clock before they sounded the alarms to the fire stations. He also said Brown County's dispatchers took too long asking questions before sending out rescuers to medical emergencies.

Now, dispatchers are being retrained to sound the alarms more quickly, to get rescuers on their way faster.

The new process is due to begin April 1st throughout Brown County.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Get ready for another "polar vortex" in Wisconsin this week.

Highs are expected to be in the teens and 20's Monday -- but by Tuesday, forecasters say it could be 10 degrees colder.

By Wednesday, parts of northern and western Wisconsin will be back down to 20-below. The entire state could be in the deep freeze until Friday, well below normal for this time of year.

The National Weather Service does not have any cold advisories out for now -- but we could see wind chill advisories Tuesday night and Wednesday night, as wind chills drop into the minus-30's again.

There's a chance for light snow Monday night across southern Wisconsin, but most of the state is expected to remain dry all week. 

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An investigation is underway after two people were found dead inside an east side Green Bay apartment.

During a news conference Monday afternoon, Green Bay police confirmed the bodies of a 47-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man were found inside the apartment at 1055 Bader Street.

Lt. Jeff Brester says officers were called to do a welfare check on a woman who didn't show up for work over the past few days.

Authorities would only say the couple died from what appears to be un-natural causes.

“Officers arrived on scene, they looked in the window and they could see someone lying on the floor. Officers forced entry into the apartment and they found a deceased male and a deceased female inside,” said Lt. Brester.

Police are not looking for suspects and say the public is not in any danger. More information is expected to be released Tuesday.

FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) - Two puppies are fighting for their lives after having bleach poured on them in Fond du Lac.

A neighbor heard the American Staffordshire terriers crying, resuced them and called police.

Fond du Lac Humane Society officials say the six-week-old puppies have chemical burns to their face and eyes, along with damage to their lungs. Officials say the next five days will be critical to their survival.

Officials also say a third dog was also rescued from the home. That dog is fine and will be immediately available for adoption.

The Fond du Lac Humane Society says it is in need of supplies to care for these dogs. Items needed include canned puppy chow and puppy milk replacer. Donations for vet care can also be made by clicking here.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke criticized Republican Governor Scott Walker Monday for setting, "such a low bar for campaign ethics."  

The former state commerce secretary told WBAY-TV in Green Bay that people have lost confidence in their politicians because of things like the recently released Milwaukee County e-mails. They confirmed a secret e-mail network involving staffers in Walker's county executive office, and Walker's campaign aides for his 2010 governor's race.

She promised to bring back, "the trust and honesty that we deserve for the highest office."

Walker, who was in Washington for a meeting of the National Governors' Association, said Monday there is no secret e-mail network in the governor's office -- and his staffers have stayed away from campaign activities.

However, Walker again refused to confirm whether he knew about the secret Milwaukee County network when he was the county executive.

A half-dozen former county staffers and associates were convicted of illegal campaigning and embezzlement after a three-year John Doe probe that officially ended last spring. One of those convicted, Kelly Rindfleisch, is still appealing.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Menasha are investigating a possible sexting incident that involves some local school students.

The incident in question involves the possibility of nude photos of a student being leaked on the Internet, according to the city's police chief.

Authorities are not releasing many details about the incident.

However, they did call the situation "complex," and they want to remind children that what goes on the Internet is not private.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police are talking more about the investigation of a man and woman found dead inside an east side Green Bay apartment Monday.

The deaths of 52-year-old Jeffrey Fish and 47-year-old Linda Dickenson have been ruled a murder-suicide.

"Jeff shot Linda as she was near the front door of the apartment," says Green Bay Police Capt. Todd Thomas, revealing the autopsy results. "And then he went into the bedroom and committed suicide with the same rifle."

Officers initially responded around 11 a.m. to the apartment at 1055 Bader Street after Linda Dickenson's employer asked them to do a welfare check. Dickenson didn't show up to work Monday morning.

"They attended a wedding Friday evening together and were drinking with family and friends," says Thomas. "Jeff was supposed to meet up with some family members Saturday morning and he never showed up."

Capt. Thomas detailed a history of domestic violence incidents through their investigation. Fish and Dickenson had been in a relationship for 10 years, and had been through several police calls regarding Jeff's abusive behavior towards Linda. 

"We've interviewed several people who knew Jeff and Linda, and it appears she has been the victim of domestic violence in the past, which included an incident where she got a black eye and an incident where he allegedly pointed a firearm at her," says Thomas. "A family member said that Jeff was jealous and controlling of her and that is usually what their arguments were about."

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROBLEM

Capt. Thomas also revealed that during their decade-long relationship, Linda Dickenson left Jeffrey Fish several times but did end up going back to him. Its part of the ongoing problems surrounding relationships rooted in domestic abuse.

"Unfortunately it's a tragedy we see all too often," says Thomas. "Since 2011, if we go back and look at all of our homicides that we've had that are not vehicle or drug-related, 5 of the 11 are domestic-related homicides."

Thomas added that the issue of domestic violence isn't a private family issue, "it's a public safety issue."

Golden House Executive Director Karen Faulkner, who hosted Tuesday's media conference, says that no relationship is the same and while some may be ready to leave an abusive relationship, others are not.

"Leaving the relationship is often the most dangerous time for a victim. It is a time when the abuser tends to feel that loss of power and control, which is the root of most domestic violence," says Faulkner. "There are so many factors...the feeling of love, dependency, socio-economic status, if children are involved, it may be that person doesn't understand that this is the relationship that could have devastating effects like in this recent case."

According to Faulkner, Golden House helped over 1,500 women, children and men through their shelter and services. However, she adds that 20 percent of requests for help weren't able to be met at their shelter. In those cases, other plans needed to be made.

"We have a significant problem with domestic violence in our community," says Faulkner. "We need to do a better job of helping people understand what healthy relationships look like. How to handle difficulties in a relationship, and that starts with our children and it's our responsibility as a community to make sure our kids understand what respect looks like in a relationship."