GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Walmart officials hosted a neighborhood meeting Tuesday evening for possibly the final time before a decision is made about the future of a 15-acre site in downtown Green Bay.

This was the third such meeting Walmart has hosted to discuss their latest 154,000 square foot proposal for the Broadway District.

Dozens of people, who are against the Supercenter proposal, held a protest outside the meeting at the Neville Public Museum.

“Because we don’t need another box sitting downtown on Broadway,” Ryan Welty of Green Bay told FOX 11.

The previous meetings involved the anti-big box store contingent going inside to talk with representatives from Walmart. But this meeting saw opponents staying away from holding a discussion with company officials.

“It’s top shelf and I have nothing to do with the project, but I know my architecture and I believe they’ve done a great job,” Ben Schenkelberg of Suamico told FOX 11.

Most of the changes to this version of the plan are cosmetic, including more windows and a red brick look to the outside of the building.

“We submitted a proposal to the city and that reflects a lot of input from a lot of different people and a lot of different groups, including the people that are outside,” said Walmart spokesperson Lisa Nelson.

The city of Green Bay's plan commission is expected to take up Walmart's request for amending the Planned Unit Development of that site on June 9.

The earliest the city council could take up the decision is June 17th. Last week, the Larsen Green Governing Board approved extending Walmart's purchase agreement through August 25.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's only entry in the National Spelling Bee passed her first verbal test Wednesday.  

13-year-old Karelyn Malliet of Shawano correctly spelled "graupel," which is a granular snow pellet.

Only 24 of the 281 young contestants did not advance to the third round of the preliminaries, which are taking place Wednesday afternoon in Washington.  

The spellers scored points in a written exam before facing the judges and a national audience for the first time Wednesday. Those who correctly spell their third-round words will advance to the semi-finals Wednesday night and Thursday.  

Karelyn is a 7th-grader who volunteers at Shawano's humane society, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A big dream is coming to fruition for one Green Bay eighth-grader.

After developing a love for baseball at a young age, 14-year-old Max Bobholz thought to create a charity that would help bring that same love of the game to those less fortunate.

"Angels at Bat" collects and then distributes baseball gear to children in Africa. 

"I've always loved baseball and I saw how much they loved it," says Bobholz. "But with how little equipment they have, I realized that we had so much equipment just sitting in our garages."

Max came up with the idea for his charity nearly two years ago when he watched Uganda's team in the Little League World Series.

Along with donating baseball gear to the needy, Max and the team he'll be traveling with will also be digging cisterns, along with planting trees and gardens in the community. 

"I'm most nervous about the food because I know it's going to be a lot different," says Bobholz. "I'm guessing I'm going to have to eat it since they're begging for food in certain areas."

Max and his mom will travel to Africa this summer with a small group of local Rotary Club members. They're still looking for donations of gloves, bats, balls, bases, hats, helmets and other gear. They will also accept financial donations to support the shipment of the items.

You can find our more information here.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A felony charge of first-degree reckless homicide has been filed Wednesday against a Town of Menasha man in connection with the death of a young girl.

26-year-old Ryan Jorgenson made his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon in Winnebago County court.

On May 14, emergency responders were called to 1277 Cold Spring Road for a 3-year-old girl who had fallen down some stairs and suffered a seizure. But EMS called police due to the severity of the injuries.

The girl was eventually airlifted to Children's Hospital in Wauwatosa, where she died about a week later.

Jorgenson was taken into custody on May 14 on a probation hold. Back in January, Jorgenson was sentenced to 24 months probation after being convicted of battery. A charge of disorderly conduct was dropped as part of a plea deal, according to online court records.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man has been sentenced to jail time and probation after being convicted of having sexual contact with a student.

Online court records show Adam Mathewson was convicted of two misdemeanor counts of having sex with a child age 16 or older. He was given 30 days in jail and 2 years probation.

Mathewson helped at West De Pere High School's band camp and later volunteered at the school twice a week. He admitted to police he was at his apartment with the teen on two weekends last fall, according to the criminal complaint.

Mathewson will not have to register as a sex offender.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - We could learn who will be the next chancellor at UW-Green Bay next week.

According to a news release, the UW System Board of Regents is set to meet to consider the appointment of a new chancellor at 10 a.m. Monday. A public announcement is expected to be made following that meeting.

Earlier this month, five finalists visited the campus for interviews and activities. They were selected by UW System president Ray Cross and a UWGB search committee. 

The finalists are:

• David M. Glassman
  • Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.
• Gary L. Miller
  • Chancellor
  • University of North Carolina Wilmington
• Gayle L. Ormiston
  • Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
  • Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va.
• Aldemaro Romero Jr.
  • Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Beth Rushing
  • Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
  • St. Mary’s College of Maryland
• Click here to learn more about the finalists

Whoever is selected as the next UWGB chancellor will take over for Tom Harden, who announced last year that he will step down in August.

OCONTO FALLS, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Department of Justice is announcing the arrests of four people in an Oconto Falls meth bust.

Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant Wednesday at a trailer at 249 Birch Avenue.

51-year-old Wendy S. Pogrant, 28-year-old Joseph P. Anderson, 24-year-old Nicholas R. Block and 22-year-old Ashley L. Van Norman were arrested for various drug offenses and child endangerment.

A search of the property uncovered meth and a production laboratory, which also contained the chemicals used to make methamphetamine.

MALONE, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin DNR says an accidental manure spill on Monday has killed thousands of fish and could pollute Lake Winnebago.

According to DNR Wastewater Specialist Casey Jones, the spill took place Monday in Pipe Creek. That's in Fond du Lac County, where cleanup efforts continue.

Lake Breeze Dairy Farm general manager Mark Diederichs tells FOX 11 the spill happened between 2 and 4:30 a.m. at their farm in Malone. Diederichs says about 50,000 gallons of manure spilled from a leak in a hose used to spread manure on fields.

An accidental manure spill in a Fond du Lac County creek has killed thousands of fish and could pollute Lake Winnebago.

DNR officials have counted 45 dead fish in a 100-foot section of the creek. But Jones says the whole section from the spill site to Lake Winnebago is contaminated. She adds the spill could soon have an impact on Lake Winnebago, but officials are still testing the water.

“This is a significant spill, one of the worst I’ve seen,” Jones told FOX 11.

Lake Breeze Dairy, LLC has 3,000 animals and has more than 30 full-time employees, according to its website.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Appleton are investigating an overnight break-in at a bicycle shop.

Cops say it happened at Chain Reaction Recyclery in the 800 block of N. Superior Street. Officials say about $16,000 worth of bikes, pedals, computers and bicycle clothing were taken.

The suspects broke in by smashing out a front door.

Police are hoping that someone in the residential neighborhood around Chain Reaction Recyclery heard or saw something related to the crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Rabas at (920) 832-5500. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text message with the keyword APDTIPS to 274637.

MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - Charges have now been filed against a 50-year-old man for a shooting in Marinette.

Last Thursday, police say Kenneth Davis shot a 37-year-old man in the arm on E. Bay Shore Street near Red Arrow Park.

Now Davis is facing five felony charges including attempted first-degree intentional homicide, recklessly endangering safety and possession of marijuana.

Davis continues to be in police custody on a $1 million cash bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 16.

LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Police say no one was hurt during an overnight armed robbery of a Little Chute convenience store.

Fox Valley Metro police say a man went into the store on Main Street with a knife and demanded money. He then fled on foot after getting some money.

Cops searched nearby neighborhoods, but could not locate the suspect.

Police have a description of the man, who's white in his late 20s to early 30s. He's about 6' tall with a thin build. The man was wearing a dark gray sweatshirt, light-colored pants and white tennis shoes. He also had a camouflage mask covering his nose and mouth.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fox Valley Metro Police at (920) 788-7505.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An open records request with the city of Green Bay finds that there have been 14 complaints filed against a police officer under investigation for using excessive force caught on video.

FOX 11 reports that prior to the April arrest video that went viral showing Officer Derek Wicklund arrest a man outside a downtown bar, Wicklund had already been investigated for using excessive force five times.

The 14 formal complaints filed against him have been since April 2006.

City officials provided FOX 11 with documents for 13 of those complaints, because the 14th case still needs to be approved by another officer who was involved.

The first of five excessive force complaints came in April 2006, when a woman said that Wicklund injured her back while she was being arrested. The Green Bay Police Department found Wicklund's actions were justified.

The second came a year later, when a woman says Wicklund caused bruises to her arm when handcuffing her and putting her in a squad car. It's not known from the documents what the outcome of that complaint was.

In September 2009, the third complaint was filed by the owner of Vicenzi's Nightclub. Wicklund was accused of pushing people for no reason. According to the investigation, the PD found there wasn't enough evidence to prove or disprove the complaint. However, police did say that more evidence would've likely led to an arrest of the bar owner for giving false statements.

The fourth complaint was in February 2013, when a woman said Wicklund punched a man 10 times in the arm to wake him up. Police said Wicklund didn't do anything wrong.

The fifth case, from July 2013, a man claimed Wicklund injured his ribs while throwing him on a squad car. Wicklund was cleared in that case as well.

The eight complaints not related to excessive force were for various things, including rudeness, false accusations, and harassment.

One of the complaints against Wicklund was from within the department. Police say he went into a secure area of the evidence room. Wicklund said he was trying to get something he accidently dropped inside the room. Police ruled Wicklund violated department policy, but did not take any disciplinary action.

Wicklund could've objected to the release of these documents, but he chose not to.

Right now, the investigation into the cell phone video arrest has now been turned over to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. There is currently no timeline for when it will be completed.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A Brown County judge has sentenced a man convicted of resisting arrest on video to 30 days in jail.

Judge William Atkinson also placed 21-year-old NeeGee Cloud on probation for 14 months.

A jury trial earlier this month found Cloud guilty in connection with the November incident at the Coaches Corner in downtown Green Bay.

The video shows a Green Bay police officer punching Cloud about ten times while trying to arrest him. Cops were responding to a call of a person with a gun inside the bar. Authorities thought Cloud was going for a gun when the attack happened. However, after Tasing and punching Cloud, officers found he didn't have a gun.

An internal review of the incident by the Green Bay Police Department found the officers' acted appropriately.

ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - The Kmart store in Ashwaubenon, right near Lambeau Field, will close its doors in mid-July.

FOX 11 reports that the store will begin a liquidation sale on Sunday. That Kmart employs 80 people. 

Officials with parent company Sears Holdings say they will also close their store in Shawano.

“Store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model. As part of this plan, the company has made the decision to close this particular unit. These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail – at the store, online and in the home,” said Howard Riefs, communications director for Sears Holdings.

The Ashwaubenon Kmart is sitting on property owned by the Green Bay Packers. It's expected to be redeveloped as part of the team's "Titletown District".

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police say a man is dead after crashing his motorcycle into a pole Friday.

It happened just after 8 p.m. in the 1500 block of Elizabeth Street in Green Bay.

Authorities say the 30-year-old man died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police say 74-year-old George Rank, the owner of Al's Hamburger Shop, died after crashing his van into the East River Friday.

Officials say Rank lost control of his van and died because of a medical condition.

Al’s Hamburger Shop, the iconic downtown Green Bay restaurant, opened in 1934.

Police say it happened near the intersection of Main and Roosevelt streets around 5 p.m.

Fire officials estimate Rank was underwater for around 15 minutes before rescue workers freed him.

His son, Steve Rank, thinks his dad accidentally hit the wrong pedal while parking his van at Karen’s Pub.

“We think his foot was swollen and that he might have hit the brake and the gas pedal,” Rank told FOX 11.

According to the Brown County Medical Examiner, George Rank did not drown and alcohol wasn't a factor. Green Bay police continue to investigate.

There are apartments above Karen’s Pub, and the accident damaged the exit stairs displacing at least five people.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin's largest electric utility asked the state Friday for approval to raise its rates by 1.8 percent next year, and one percent in 2016.  

In an unusual move, We Energies negotiated an agreement with three consumer groups on the bulk of the increase, before it went to the Public Service Commission. Those groups can still challenge proposed customer charges to make up for the cost of the fuel the utility burns in its power plants.  

We Energies wants to increase its revenues by $52 million next year, and another $20 million in 2016.  

The Citizens Utility Board said the utility first wanted to raise rates by 4.7 percent on about $41 million of those revenues -- and they bargained it down to 1.4.  

The utility board, the Wisconsin Paper Council, and the state's Industrial Energy Group took part in the negotiations. We Energies' spokesman Brian Manthey said the agreements on key issues before the rate request was filed was an "unusual and positive development."  

We Energies is based in Milwaukee and provides electric service in much of the eastern half of Wisconsin.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers have signed their first-round draft choice, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.  

Media reports said the safety from Alabama was given a four-year deal worth $8.3 million dollars. More than $7.5 million is said to be guaranteed, with a signing bonus of almost $4.4 million.  

Green Bay still has two unsigned draft choices of the nine they took earlier this month. Second-round receiver Davante Adams remains without a deal, along with third-round tight end Richard Rodgers.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MARKESAN, WI (WTAQ) - Fire crews had a busy Saturday afternoon fighting two house fires in Green Lake County.

The call went out just after 3 p.m. to a home on W. Manchester Street in Markesan.

Upon arrival, crews found one house was completely engulfed in flames. That fire impacted the house next door, causing heavy damage.

Six adults and two children have been displaced because of the fire. Crews spent nearly six hours on scene dealing with the blazes.

The cause remains under investigation.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - One man is in the hospital after he hit a mattress that fell off a pickup truck on Highway 441 Saturday.

Police say it happened on the southbound side of 441 between College Avenue and Calumet Street around 4:45 p.m.

The man, who was driving a motorcycle, crashed into the median after hitting the mattress.

Authorities say the motorcyclist's injuries aren't considered life-threatening.

The truck's driver was cited for having an unsecured load.

The road was shut down for 3 hours to investigate, and at the same time police noticed the road had buckled.

According to Appleton police, the roadway heaved up about 8 inches requiring immediate repair.

Because the road was already shut down, police say no one was injured by the buckle.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).