Bus fire at Menominee Public Transit Building

March 30, 2014, 7:14 am

≫ Next: Bonduel man killed in crash early Saturday

≪ Previous: Michael Potts agrees to last-minute plea deal in '08 murder

$

0

0

KESHENA, WI (WTAQ) - Fire crews were busy late Saturday afternoon when they responded to a bus fire at the Menominee Public Transit Building in Keshena.

Crews were called around 5:30 p.m. and upon arrival found a transit bus inside the storage building fully engulfed in flames.

Officials were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other buses inside the building.

Fire Chief Pat Roberts tells FOX 11 the bus is a total loss. The building's interior also had minor smoke and flame damage.

The tribal transit system connects people to the reservation’s three main villages and the casino. Bus service was not disrupted because of the fire.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

---

Bonduel man killed in crash early Saturday

March 30, 2014, 7:19 am

≫ Next: Brown County Sheriff's Office target internet crimes against children

≪ Previous: Bus fire at Menominee Public Transit Building

$

0

0

TOWN OF RIVERVIEW, WI (WTAQ) - A crash in Oconto County early Saturday morning kills one man and injures another.

Authorities say it happened on County Highway W in the Township of Riverview around 2:30 a.m.

A 19-year-old Neenah man lost control of his pickup truck and slammed into a tree. Cops say his passenger, a 19-year-old Bonduel man, died at the scene.

The driver was rushed to the hospital with injuries.

Authorities say it's unclear if alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Brown County Sheriff's Office target internet crimes against children

March 30, 2014, 11:34 pm

≫ Next: Green Bay PD investigates overnight assault

≪ Previous: Bonduel man killed in crash early Saturday

$

0

0

Bellevue, WI (WTAQ) - The Brown County Sheriff's Office plays host to a weekend undercover operation, where a team made up of officers from several northeast Wisconsin police agencies spend their time nabbing people looking have sex with young children.  It's called "Operation Vangard"... The idea is to engage predators online, arrange meetings and make arrests.  Lt Jim Valley, with the Brown County Sheriff's Office, leads the team.   The campaign leads to 6 arrests in Brown County.   But Valley says the numbers aren't important to him.  Getting predators off the street is.  

Green Bay PD investigates overnight assault

March 31, 2014, 3:46 am

≫ Next: State Senator considers a bid for Congress

≪ Previous: Brown County Sheriff's Office target internet crimes against children

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police arrest one man after a disturbance on Klee St. on the city's west side. Cops called just before 11:30 last night (SUN). A 44 year old man was arrested at the scene on battery charges and another 39 year old man was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The victim is expected to survive.  

State Senator considers a bid for Congress

March 31, 2014, 5:56 am

≫ Next: Oshkosh police investigate armed robbery

≪ Previous: Green Bay PD investigates overnight assault

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - When his name was brought up recently as a potential primary challenger to 6th District District Republican Congressman Tom Petri, State Senator Glenn Grothman strongly denied he would be a candidate. That apparently has changed.  Grothman was telling people at the Wisconsin Conservative Action Conference Saturday that he is likely to run for Congress.   

Oshkosh police investigate armed robbery

March 31, 2014, 7:35 am

≫ Next: Appleton police arrest burglary suspect

≪ Previous: State Senator considers a bid for Congress

$

0

0

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - An armed robbery over the weekend in Oshkosh is under investigation.

Oshkosh police say a 21-year-old man was robbed at knifepoint while walking in the 600 block of Central Street around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Following a brief struggle, the two male robbers stole the man's jacket and cell phone. They then ran off.

Police say one of the suspects was about 6'1" with a stocky build, the other was described as having blond hair. Both had buzzcuts.

Anyone with information is asked to call Winnebago County Wide Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477, send a text message with the keyword IGOTYA to 274637 or submit a tip online.

Appleton police arrest burglary suspect

March 31, 2014, 8:50 am

≫ Next: Kimberly man charged with armed robbery of cab driver

≪ Previous: Oshkosh police investigate armed robbery

$

0

0

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton police arrest a man in connection with a weekend burglary.

Officers get the call just before 1 a.m. Sunday to the 2300 block of W. College Avenue. A caller reported seeing someone throw an object at the front window of one of the businesses in the building.

Police found a 24-year-old man behind the building upon arrival. He tried to run away, but cops caught up to him. A short struggle took place, but no one was hurt.

During the investigation, officers found a damaged safe in the area when the man was found. He also had a large amount of cash, several cell phones and a large knife. The window to that business had been shattered.

The suspect was a resident of a local shelter. He has yet to be formally charged.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Kimberly man charged with armed robbery of cab driver

March 31, 2014, 12:54 pm

≫ Next: Expansion could be coming to Appleton farmers market

≪ Previous: Appleton police arrest burglary suspect

$

0

0

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Charges have been filed against a Kimberly man in connection with the armed robbey of a cab driver in Appleton.

Authorities say it happened near the corner of E. Newberry Street and N. Briarcliff Drive on the night of February 7.

The 31-year-old cabbie told police that a passenger had stolen his cash at knifepoint. The driver suffered minor injuries.

During the investigation, police identified a suspect and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Last Friday, 20-year-old Konstantin C. VanGrinsven was arrested during a traffic stop in Manitowoc County.

Cops say VanGrinsven admitted to the robbery.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

---

Expansion could be coming to Appleton farmers market

March 31, 2014, 1:04 pm

≫ Next: Green Bay decides to fight court ruling on trash incinerator

≪ Previous: Kimberly man charged with armed robbery of cab driver

$

0

0

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Now that Appleton Downtown, Inc. has finished its indoor farmers market this past weekend, the group is looking ahead to the Saturday outdoor market.

But officials have an eye on expanding the popular market.

“We’re definitely looking to increase opportunities to provide access to fresh, local food and to drive traffic to downtown,” Jennifer Stephany, executive director of Appleton Downtown, Inc., told FOX 11.

The outdoor Saturday market currently has 180 vendors. But there are 100 more on a waiting list because they don't have room to expand. After other farmers markets decided to expand, the downtown outdoor Appleton market could look to adding Wednesdays to their weekly offering.

Right now, the Saturday farmers market occupies several block of College Avenue and Houdini Plaza. Officials say the Wednesday night farmers market would go in Washington Square, a new green space behind the downtown City Center. Stephany says it has plenty of potential to host outdoor events and could be the perfect location.

“If you look back in the day even our Saturday market started in a parking lot,” she said.

The city's safety and licensing committee will review the application during its meeting on Wednesday. If approved, the market would take place from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday from June to September.

Green Bay decides to fight court ruling on trash incinerator

April 1, 2014, 2:22 am

≫ Next: Homeless resource center put on hold

≪ Previous: Expansion could be coming to Appleton farmers market

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay’s city council is appealing to the state supreme court when it comes to a lawsuit against the city.  It has to do with an Oneida Seven Generations’ waste-to-energy plant that was never actually built. The city council initially approved the project, before changing its mind. Earlier this month, the state appeals court ruled the city was wrong in making that decision.

Homeless resource center put on hold

April 1, 2014, 2:27 am

≫ Next: UPDATE: Four people charged in major Brown County marijuana ring

≪ Previous: Green Bay decides to fight court ruling on trash incinerator

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay’s city council has delayed making a decision on a daytime resource center for the homeless. The resource center, which would be called New Visions, would be open every day but Saturday. It would provide information about jobs and health care. The facility would go into a currently empty warehouse near the Mason Street Bridge, on South Adams Street. The city council said city staff wanted more time to go over the proposal.  The issue could come back in a couple of weeks.

UPDATE: Four people charged in major Brown County marijuana ring

April 1, 2014, 12:30 pm

≫ Next: Operation Vanguard nets 20th arrest

≪ Previous: Homeless resource center put on hold

$

0

0

BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - The Brown County Sheriff's Department says four people arrested last week came from a ten-week investigation into a marijuana distribution organization.

Sheriff's deputies say one of the suspects would pick up packages delivered to various residences in Brown and Outagamie counties. All of those shipments came from San Francisco, California and were headquartered at a Howard home.

In a press release, authorities say the distribution of at least 1,000 pounds of marijuana took place over the past year. Investigators estimate its street value between $5 and $6 million.

Investigators say The U.S. Postal Service tipped them off about some suspicious packages in December.

Court documents say Verge Medina would pick up the packages and bring them back to his Howard home that he shared with his girlfriend Chelsea Cornette. Drug dealers would then swing by to pick up their shares of the product.

“We do believe there are other people involved and there are probably cells, if you will, operating in the same manner, even in this area – maybe other areas,” said Brown County Drug Task Force Lt. Dave Poteat. “But we believe it ties back to San Francisco, where the packages were originating.”

Poteat says the drugs were put in plastic bags and submerged in rubbing alcohol to try and mask the smell of the marijuana.

Investigators seized more than ten pounds of marijuana, 19 handguns and assault-style rifles guns, roughly 7,000 rounds of ammunition, and more than $130,000 in cash and other assets.

Authorities also seized more than $44,000 from bank and security deposit box accounts of Medina.

Medina, Cornette, Allan Murphy and Marshawn Mackontee are facing multiple drug charges after appearing in Brown County Court Tuesday afternoon.

Operation Vanguard nets 20th arrest

April 1, 2014, 12:36 pm

≫ Next: Preliminary hearing for Jer Lovaj postponed

≪ Previous: UPDATE: Four people charged in major Brown County marijuana ring

$

0

0

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Ashwaubenon Public Safety officials say they've arrested a 20th person tied to Operation Vanguard.

In a news release Tuesday, authorities say the 37-year-old De Pere man had an online chat with cops posing as a 15-year-old girl. This man was arrested at an Ashwaubenon coffee shop, where he believed he was going to pick up the girl and take her back to his house for sex.

Operation Vanguard is a coordinated effort among police agencies in northeast Wisconsin which ran from last Thursday to Saturday.

The suspect has yet to be formally charged.

Preliminary hearing for Jer Lovaj postponed

April 1, 2014, 12:40 pm

≫ Next: Electric rate hike, natural gas rate drop being sought by WPS

≪ Previous: Operation Vanguard nets 20th arrest

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A former Green Bay teacher accused of sexually assaulting one of his students had his preliminary hearing postponed Tuesday.

Jer Lovaj is facing two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child for allegedly touching an 8-year-old girl at Sullivan Elementary School. His preliminary hearing is now set for April 24.

Two reasons were cited in court for the delay:

* The state’s lead detective on the case is out of state and is unavailable to testify.

* Defense attorney Peter Heyne wants to review recent changes in how hearsay evidence is handled at preliminary hearings.

Lovaj was fired over the alleged incidents. He worked at several schools in the district as an ESL teacher since 1996.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Electric rate hike, natural gas rate drop being sought by WPS

April 1, 2014, 12:59 pm

≫ Next: Capital Credit Union merging with Pioneer CU this fall

≪ Previous: Preliminary hearing for Jer Lovaj postponed

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Electric customers in northeast and north central Wisconsin are being asked to pay eight-percent more to keep their lights on next year.

The Wisconsin Public Service utility said Tuesday that it asked state regulators for a rate hike that would charge the average residential customer $6 more per month.

In a statement, Public Service noted that its electric rates have been relatively unchanged since 2008, due mainly to lower fuel costs in producing its power. Officials say those fuel costs are now higher.

The utility says it also needs extra revenue to cover higher transmission costs and adding more underground power lines.

Public Service is also looking to reduce its natural gas rates by one-half percent. It would save the average dweller about 34 cents each month.

The state's utility regulating body will evaluate the company's request, and approve final rates near the end of the year.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

---

Capital Credit Union merging with Pioneer CU this fall

April 1, 2014, 1:08 pm

≫ Next: Eight women arrested in Green Bay prostitution sting

≪ Previous: Electric rate hike, natural gas rate drop being sought by WPS

$

0

0

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - Two credit unions in northeast Wisconsin plan to merge this fall.

Capital Credit Union of Kimberly says it will merge with the Pioneer Credit Union of Ashwaubenon.

It would create one of the largest credit unions in the state, with a combined 90,000 members and $1.1 billion in assets.

The new institution would keep the Capital name. Officials said customers of both credit unions could start doing business at either one in October.

The two groups say they expect no employees to be laid off due to the merger.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Eight women arrested in Green Bay prostitution sting

April 1, 2014, 1:27 pm

≫ Next: Update renovation designs for Lambeau Field released

≪ Previous: Capital Credit Union merging with Pioneer CU this fall

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police have announced the arrest of eight women caught in an escort license and prostitution sting last week.

Investigators say the women were contacted and met with undercover cops to engage in sexual acts for money.

“The basic general fees we were negotiating with those escorts was about $150 for an hour or so,” says Capt. Todd Thomas with the Green Bay Police Department. “If you multiply that by a few times a night, which several of them told us they had several dates a night times seven days a week, it adds up pretty quickly.”

The eight women were given citations in Green Bay municipal court for operating without an escort license. Each ticket has a fine totaling $6,361. Two were also cited for drug possession.

Arrested were: Shannetta Franklin, 23, of Green Bay; Cynthia Burzinski, 23, of Green Bay; Rachel Fischer, 21, of Suamico; Erica Herrod, 24, of Green Bay; Robbie White, 23, of Green Bay; Adrian Hendrix, 19, of Green Bay; Susan Buelow, 49, of Green Bay; and Heather Denny, 37, of Green Bay.

Franklin was also ticketed for possession of the drug ecstasy and White was also ticketed for possession of THC.

Update renovation designs for Lambeau Field released

April 1, 2014, 2:22 pm

≫ Next: Wrong ballots given to about 130 voters in Kaukauna

≪ Previous: Eight women arrested in Green Bay prostitution sting

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Update designs for the renovation of Lambeau Field has been released by the Green Bay Packers.

The changes announced Tuesday include new locations for the 14-foot bronze statues of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi. The iconic statues will remain on the Harlan Plaza, but at the base of a staircase just outside the Packers Pro Shop.

Other changes include a new Lambeau Leap spot for fans to take pictures with. That will be in front of the Packers Pro Shop.

Packers officials say these renovations are due to be finished in July.

Wrong ballots given to about 130 voters in Kaukauna

April 1, 2014, 4:04 pm

≫ Next: Spring election results

≪ Previous: Update renovation designs for Lambeau Field released

$

0

0

KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) - Kaukauna had an Election Day problem Tuesday; after it was learned about 130 voters were given the wrong ballots at city hall.

The mistake affected two Outagamie County Supervisor races.

According to FOX 11, Kaukauna is broken up into different wards. But some voters were mistakenly given ballots that were meant for one particular ward.

So those voters didn't choose between District 13 candidates Leroy Van Asten or Jason Fischer as they should have. They ended up voting in a different race.

The Government Accountability Board says the mistake isn't something that can be fixed immediately. Once the votes have been canvassed, the candidates can ask for a recount and then take it a step further.

“If one of the candidates disagrees with the results, they can ask a court to overturn it or ask for a new election,” said Reid Magney with the Government Accountability Board.

FOX 11 spoke with District 13 candidate Jason Fischer about the error. He says he’s the one who brought the mistake to officials’ attention when he voted at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Fischer says he would consider asking for a new election.

Spring election results

April 1, 2014, 6:22 pm

≫ Next: Kaukauna city clerk Susan Duda under fire for missteps

≪ Previous: Wrong ballots given to about 130 voters in Kaukauna

$

0

0

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The polls across Wisconsin closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and the results for the 3,794 state and local offices along with 101 different referenda are coming in.

REFERENDA RESULTS

Voters have approved the Green Bay School District's $20 million referendum for building maintenance at six schools. 70 percent of voters said yes to upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, along with other upgrades. The schools receiving these upgrades are Franklin and Washington middle, along with Chappell, Fort Howard, Tank and Nicolet elementary schools.

In the Howard-Suamico School District, their $13.4 million referendum was approved by voters.

That was broken down into two questions, the first dealing with $9.9 million for safety updates, infrastructure maintenance and improvements, and added instructional space. 68 percent voted yes. The second question for $3.5 million to renovate the school district's 1970s era pool got 66 percent support

All four questions in the Ashwaubenon School District were approved by voters, who also supported school referendums in Brillion, Denmark, Oshkosh and Oakfield. The school referendums in Menasha and Princeton did not pass.

INDIVIDUAL RACES

Incumbents ruled the day when it came to seats on the Brown County Board of Supervisors. In District 1, Tom Sieber defeated challenger Jason Wisneski 74-26%. In District 3, Andy Nicholson held off challenger Sandy Duckett 62-38%. Incumbent Guy Zima wins in District 8 65-35% over challenger James Warner.

District 10 saw John Vander Leest defeat challenger Julie Jansch 63-37%. In District 15, incumbent Thomas Katers defeats Carole Andrews 55-45%. Incumbent Bill Clancy won in District 20 over Jim Crawford 63-37%.

District 24 saw Richard Schadewald hold off Kenneth Simons 55-45% in the lone race that didn't have an incumbent.

In the races for Green Bay City Council seats, incumbent Andy Nicholson defeated challenger Lucy Bunker 62-38% in District 3. In District 4 Tim DeWane held off Joe Costello 56-44%.

District 7 has Randy Scannell defeated Jeanine Snyder 57-43%. In District 9, Guy Zima knocked off Angie Warner 66-34%.

The closest race of the night was in District 11 where incumbent Brian Danzinger defeated John Vander Leest by just 11 votes.

The city of Neenah has a new mayor as State Rep. Dean Kaufert defeated incumbent George Scherck 58-42%.

In Oconto, incumbent mayor Victoria Bostedt defeated challenger Ron Hayes 54-46%.

You can get a complete rundown of results here.