BELLEVUE, WI (WTAQ) - Two Brown County men have been arrested following an undercover investigation into the alleged possession and distribution of child pornography.

Sheriff's officials say 42-year-old Jon M. Vangheem of De Pere and 28-year-old Darryl Ripkoski of Bellevue were picked up Tuesday after separate, two-month-long investigations.

Both are due to appear in Brown County court Wednesday afternoon on multiple referred charges of possession of child pornography.

Authorities say the investigations are part of their increased effort to combat the exploitation of children over the Internet.

De Pere Police, the Brown County Drug Task Force and agents from the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation also worked on the case.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A fire at a Green Bay business Wednesday night caused some damage.

Fire crews were called to Enviro Tire Management on Tomlin Street just after 8 p.m.

When firefighters arrived they saw a fire inside a tire grinder, which is used for tire recycling.

No one was inside the building at the time and the fire caused about $20,000 in damage.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - As more Wisconsinites hit the water, the DNR is urging folks to watch out for blue-green algae.

Experts say it grows rapidly during the summer -- and you can get sick just by touching the algae, or ingesting lake water that contains it. Blue-green algae often appears in waters with high levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, or other nutrients.

The DNR says it's showing up now in southern Wisconsin, and it gradually appears in the north as the summer goes on. Officials say pets have been known to die, just by licking the algae residue from their coats.

The DNR urges folks to call a veterinarian if their pets become lethargic after romping in a lake -- or if they vomit or have diarrhea.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - Police say a car slammed into a Little Chute house Thursday.

The crash happened in the 900 block of E. Main Street around 11:40 a.m.

Fox Valley Metro police say a 64-year-old woman driving the car, apparently suffered a medical condition which led to the crash. She was hospitalized for an evaluation.

The road has a 25 mile per hour speed limit, and witnesses told officers the car didn't appear to be speeding.

Two people inside the home were not hurt. However, there was substantial damage to the front of the house causing the structure to be unstable. 

Repair crews were called in and authorities said it was possible people could go back into the house later Thursday.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - As time starts to tick away, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is closing in on its fundraising goal.

The PAC's Keystone Campaign has raised more than $24 million in pledges and contributions. However, the group is still looking for $800,000 by June 30.

The campaign went public in 2012 after PAC leaders raised $17 million privately. 

PAC officials say the money will provide them with cash reserves to protect it in the volatile theater business and from an unexpected economic downturn. It'll also provide for long-term maintenance needs.

For more information on the campaign or to learn how to donate, call (920) 730-3782 or visit the PAC’s website.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A team effort by the Brown County United Way, Emerging Leaders Society and Friends of the Brown County Library has led to the dedication of a second Born Learning Trail.

"The connection between reading and literacy and future accomplishment is a strong and direct correlation to success," said Brown County United Way President and CEO Greg Maass. "This partnership is a community investment that makes a community impact."

The new trail is at the Brown County Southwest Library, 974 9th Street in Green Bay. The city's first Born Learning Trail is located at Brown County's Central Library.

The trails are designed to help adults interact with children to boost language and literacy development and to help caregivers understand how to best support early learning in outdoor everyday moments.

Among the dignitaries on hand were Wisconsin First Lady Tonette Walker and Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Downtown Green Bay will play host to all things culinary this weekend as the 4th annual Savour Green Bay event takes place.

"Last year we estimated about 5,000 visitors, and we definitely anticipate that number to top last year's," says Mosaic Arts Inc. Executive Director Tina Quigley. "It's an event that's been so well received and well supported, that we are confident it's going to be one that will be around for many, many years."

The event, including cooking classes and demonstrations, are free. Local food and beverage items can be purchased on site from area restaurants, breweries and wineries.

A new addition this year will be the Savour After Dinner Concert; from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. Dessert and beer pairing specials will be available, with all sales benefitting the arts. 

Complete info can be found at their website. 

Savour Green Bay runs from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Saturday. It takes place in the Adams Street parking lot in downtown Green Bay.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Kraft Foods is recalling Velveeta cheese from Walmart stores in up to 12 states, including Wisconsin.

The company said the product did not have the proper amount of a sorbic acid preservative -- and it could cause the cheese to prematurely spoil, and cause foodborne illnesses.

Kraft said the affected Velveeta packages were shipped to 3 Walmart distribution centers -- and it apparently ended up in stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and seven others from Colorado to Ohio.

The packages have a date stamp of December 17th of this year. They also have a code with the last three numbers being "614."

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A 19-year-old former Appleton police community service officer is heading to trial for allegedly having sexual contact with two teenage girls.

On Friday, a judge scheduled a plea hearing for July 21. That's when Tyler Jochman will enter pleas to counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child, and having sex with a child age 16 or older.

While working as a community service officer, Jochman allegedly had contact with the girls at his apartment. The girls are 15 and 17-years-old.

WAUSAU, WI (WTAQ) - A state appeals court says no to a new trial for a man convicted of killing his mother on a fishing trip in the Fox Valley.

37-year-old Randal Rosenthal Jr. of Brillion is serving a life prison term for shooting Kathleen Remter in July of 2011.

Rosenthal claimed that Remter's lover actually killed her, but the judge at his trial would not let him introduce that evidence. The Third District Appeals Court in Wausau said there was no prior indication that the victim's boyfriend killed her.

Also, the defendant claimed he was sleeping when Remter was shot -- but the appellate court said no witnesses could corroborate that.

Remter's body was later found in the Fox River near Kaukauna.

Prosecutors said her son wanted to collect on her $586,000 life insurance policy. Under his prison term, Rosenthal will first be eligible for a supervised release in 2061, when he's 84.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man has avoided a trial and pleaded no contest Friday to killing Daniel Kuehl.

Green Bay police say Jeffrey Wickman strangled Kuehl inside his home last May. Wickman broke in, looking to steal guns that could be traded for cash or drugs.

Authorities eventually recovered a stolen gun, which led to Wickman's arrest.

A court official says Wickman will be sentenced August 25.

WASHINGTON D.C. (WTAQ) - Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approve a defense bill Friday that authorizes funding for the Littoral Combat Ship program.

It's a $570 billion plan that includes the construction of two ships. But just one of those will be built at Marinette Marine next year. The other LCS ship will be constructed at an Alabama shipyard.

“We’re able to maintain an industrial base as a result of this, so I think this was a good result,” Rep. Reid Ribble, R-8th District, told FOX 11.

The bill also cuts the Navy’s original order in half. But according to Ribble, there was a lot of talk inside the beltway about cutting the entire LCS program.

“There were a lot of rumors that that was going to happen. That did not happen, there were no amendments offered to end the program, which would have been the worst possible result,” said Ribble in a phone interview after the vote.

In a statement Friday, Lockheed Martin, which subcontracts to Marinette Marine, said: “We are confident in our team’s progress on the program, and won’t speculate on pending legislation as these mark-ups are part of a multi-step process.”

Now the Senate must step up to the plate, by passing a bill authorizing the ships, and a bill to pay for them.

Wisconsin Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin was disappointed in the bill approved in the House. In a statement, "I worked hard to ensure that three ships were authorized by the Senate Armed Services Committee and am hopeful that as we move forward and reconcile both the House and Senate bills, we can ensure full funding of three LCS so we can avoid a disruption in our workforce and ensure the LCS continues to have a positive impact on our Wisconsin economy.”

Ribble says if the final legislation includes funding for 3 ships that third ship would likely be built in Marinette.

“It would typically go to the shipyard that is most on schedule. If both shipyards were equal on footing, they would be, both be on time. But Marinette Marine is ahead of the schedule; the Austal Program is behind schedule,” Ribble explained.

A timeline on when Senate bills will reach the floor is unclear. Wisconsin Republican Senator Ron Johnson released a statement saying it’s uncertain whether the Senate will even debate, much less pass, a defense spending bill.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An investigation is planned for an employee at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, after an e-mail was sent to all faculty about a campaign fundraiser.

The electrical apprentice instructor is accused of misusing the school's e-mail system by sending an e-mail about a lunch for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke.

“This is a personnel issue, so we are going to handle this the same way we handle all of our personnel issues, following our policies in our personnel handbook,” Vice President of College Advancement Karen Smits told FOX 11.

There were two e-mails that contained the subject line “Lunch at BLUE with Mary Burke.” In one of the e-mails he wrote, “I know they will also be raising funds for her campaign against Walker so please plan accordingly.”

“I don’t want to speak on his behalf, but it is clear that this was something that is in violation of our policy,” said Smits. “We will deal with it.”

Smits says the employee’s email potentially goes against the college’s code of conduct. NWTC officials say they haven't spoken with the employee in question yet. That instructor hasn’t been at the college since it was made aware of the e-mail.

There is state law restricting political solicitation involving public officials and employees. A spokesperson for the Government Accountability Board would not comment on the issue.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police say a bicycle versus automobile crash left one man with serious injuries.

It happened on Oregon Street, between 6th and 8th streets, around 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Authorities say the 45-year-old Oshkosh man was pinned under the vehicle until the Oshkosh Fire Department's Heavy Rescue Unit lifted the vehicle off of him. The man was then rushed to the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police are releasing more information about a robbery early Monday on the city's east side.

Officers responded to a call of a shot being fired around 2:45 a.m. at the Rosemore Apartments, 815 E. Walnut Street. When cops arrived, they found a 16-year-old Green Bay girl with a gunshot wound to her chest.

"The individual does not live at that residence, but was staying with the tenants for the evening, there were several other adults and children present during the incident," says Green Bay Police Lt. Chad Ramos. "We don't believe that this is some sort of a random act, someone inside was targeted and she just happened to be at that place while everything went down."

The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries. Police say several people went inside the home and demanded money. One of them shot the girl.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police say two juveniles are arrested after an incident involving a gun at East High School Monday morning.

Police were called just before 9 a.m. for a report of a gun inside the school.

"Shortly after they (officers) arrived, two individuals were taken into custody that we believe are the individuals involved in this incident," says Lt. Chad Ramos. "A subsequent search of the school also revealed a pellet gun and we also believe that's the gun used in this incident."

District officials and the Green Bay Police Department confirm that no one inside the building was hurt. There were about 200 students inside at the time for various summer school activities and a YMCA class.

“We saw a bunch of squads coming down, so of course we came running out of the house,” said Tina Mattern, who lives a couple houses down from the school. “As they were pulling in and more officers were coming, they all came out with their guns.”

Mattern says those officers were peering into windows of the school.

“And then there was kids coming out of the, what would be the cafeteria area with their hands up.”

Green Bay Area Public School District Spokesperson Lori Blakeslee said the decision was made to cancel the afternoon summer school session so that law enforcement could continue searching the building. Classes would resume normally on Tuesday.

As for the students, parents were reunited with their kids at Washington Middle School.

Lt. Ramos confirmed that this incident was not connected with the shooting that took place at an east side apartment building earlier Monday morning.

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - A rash of thefts in Menasha has police recommending that people lock all exterior power boxes.

According to police, fuse blocks for central air conditioning units are being targeted by theieves who want them because of the high price of copper.

Surveillance images of a suspect in several of the fuse box thefts have been released by investigators. They indicate it appears to be a man in his 50s who wears glasses and is balding with longer hair in the back.

He's wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt, shorts and sandals. He may be riding a white bicycle with a red bag on the handlebars.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (920) 967-3500 or Crimestoppers at (920) 231-8477, emailpolice@ci.menasha.wi.us or send a text message beginning with “IGOTYA” to 274637.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Appleton police say a man has died from injuries suffered from an accidental gunshot.

Police were called around 7:45 p.m. Sunday to a home in the 900 block of W. Winnebago Street. 

The 911 call said that a 55-year-old man had been shot by an acquaintance that was looking over a handgun when it went off. Police say the victim, identified as Joseph M. Pastorelli Sr., was hit by a single round.

Pastorelli was rushed to the hospital, where he later died. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.

Police interviewed several people inside the home at the time. Investigators believe it happened while several guns were being cleaned after they had recently been fired at a shooting range.

No one else was injured.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A decision to throw out a murder confession is going to be appealed by Outagamie County's prosecutor.

District Attorney Carrie Schneider said on Monday that she will ask the Wisconsin Attorney General's office to appeal last week's ruling which tossed out Mastella Jackson's confession and related evidence.

Outagamie County Judge Mark McGinnis ruled that Grand Chute police violated Jackson's rights when they questioned her about the murder of her husband, Derrick Whitlow, in February 2012. Whitlow was stabbed at the hotel where he and Jackson lived.

McGinnis said prosecutors could not use the confession or items obtained from a search warrant that was executed afterwards.

Schneider says that if the state agrees to pursue the case, an appeal could take up to six months. Currently, the case is scheduled to go to trial on July 7.

(Additional reporting by FOX 11).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A not guilty plea was entered Monday by a former Appleton West High School teacher's aide accused of having sex with a student.

44-year-old Laura Bates is facing two counts of sexual assault by a school staff member in Outagamie County. Bates allegedly had an ongoing relationship with a 17-year-old student. 

That trial is set to begin October 22.

Bates is also facing four similar charges in Calumet County for incidents at her home with the same student. A status conference in that case is scheduled for July 8.