MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - A former store owner in Menasha has pled guilty to receiving and mislabeling drugs in federal court.

53-year-old Lawrence Hooyman is scheduled to be sentenced in November.

An investigation began over 3 years ago, when the Town of Menasha passed an ordinance regulating the sale of synthetic marijuana.

Authorities say at that time, Hooyman's and three other stores were selling the product. All four stores were notified of the ordinance and told they couldn't sell the product anymore.

Police officers checked the stores again in March 2011 and discovered that 3 were still selling the products. Citations were issued and over the next few years, the P.D. continues to get complaints about Eldorado's Adult Party Store at 2545 S. Memorial Drive still selling the product.

In June 2011, search warrants were served at the store. Cops recovered over 600 packages of synthetic marijuana with a retail value of $31,000.

Investigators were told by Hooyman that he believed it was legal to sell the stuff and he was only allowing adults to buy it.

After telling them he would stop selling it, Hooyman continued to sell into December of 2011. 

Police served another search warrant at another one of his stores, Intimate Lingerie in Grand Chute, and found more synthetic marijuana being sold.

TOWN OF RICHMOND, WI (WTAQ) - A man wanted in Shawano County for allegedly stealing several vehicles, including a semi, has been arrested.

Authorities took 26-year-old Calvin Ossman into custody around 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Town of Richmond.

Police say they found Ossman hiding in a barn after getting a tip.

Earlier this month, Ossman allegedly stole a semi and smashed into several vehicles after leading police on a chase through Clintonville and Bell Plaine.

Ossman is also accused of stealing other vehicles.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - The National Weather Service now says a weak tornado landed in the Fox Valley earlier this week.

Officials said Thursday that a weak twister came down late Monday afternoon about two miles southeast of Medina in Winnebago County. Two utility poles were pushed over, and there was no damage reported to any buildings.

Wisconsin has had plenty of hailstorms and downpours in recent weeks -- but the Weather Service says the cool summer has kept tornadoes to a minimum.

Meteorologist Jeff Last of the Weather Service in Green Bay says his office has issued only about half the average numbers of warnings this season. The area has had above average rainfalls.

Coloma in Waushara County had a 1.4 downpour Thursday.

Warm and humid conditions are expected through the weekend in the Badger State. There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms each day.

Highs will be in the 70's and 80's Friday and Saturday. Parts of southwest Wisconsin could get into the 90's on Sunday.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - UW System President Ray Cross says the university must address a shortage of talent that's holding back the Wisconsin economy.

He told the Board of Regents in Oshkosh Thursday that the one constant he hears is that the UW should be more closely aligned with the needs of the state. That means developing top employees and leaders in the state's key industries.

Cross and other UW officials have prepared a Talent Development Initiative. To achieve it, he said the UW will need an extra $95 million in its next two-year budget.

Governor Scott Walker has told state agencies not to seek any increases, but the UW Regents voted unanimously Thursday to request the additional funds for the budget which takes effect next July.

Cross said he's been talking with the governor's office and lawmakers about the talent project on a weekly basis. The initiative includes research and training funds leading to more workers in science, technology, engineering, and math -- the so-called "STEM" fields.

The funding would also boost the numbers of UW graduates, increase internship opportunities, and preserve quality instruction. Cross says the goal is to more closely align the UW's education and research with the state's economic needs.

The university won't know until next February if they have a chance to get the extra dollars it seeks. That's when the governor will introduce the budget to the next Legislature.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers will play two home exhibition games in the next seven days, starting tonight against Oakland Raiders.

It will be the first Lambeau Field visit for Charles Woodson, James Jones, and C.J. Wilson since they left Green Bay.

Woodson and Jones are expected to start tonight, and get a lot of playing time.

The Packers expect to play their starters at least into the 2nd quarter. They're still auditioning players for several roster spots -- including tight end, where the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel now says Brandon Bostick had a slight fracture in his right leg fibula.

Bostick was hurt while catching a pass last Saturday against St. Louis, and reports say he could be out until October. That gives rookie Richard Rodgers and the returning Andrew Quarless a chance to nail down the starting spot.

Ryan Taylor and Jake Stoneburner will be in the mix as well -- and perhaps rookie Justin Perillo.

Packers Gameday on WTAQ starts at 5 p.m., with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

FANS TRAVEL ADVISORY

The Wisconsin DOT is reminding drivers heading to the Packers game at Lambeau tonight that Highway 41 and adjacent roadways from Oneida Street north to Suamico are still under construction.

Officials say the 41-172 interchange could experience significant backups in all directions. You are urged to allow yourself extra time to get to the game.

Oneida Street will be closed to traffic from Lombardi Avenue to Potts Avenue from four hours before kick-off until two hours after the game. Armed Forces Drive will be closed at Oneida Street. Ridge Road will also be a one-way street during the game.

(Additional reporting by Wheeler News Service)

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - After getting a life saving transplant 3 years ago, a young Green Bay area girl has met her donor.

Chrestean Werth and his wife traveled from his home in northern Germany to meet Mira Erdmann of Howard.

She was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease that affects just 1 in every 1.2 million people.

Doctors said her only chance of survival was to get a bone marrow transplant. Werth learned that he was a match for the young girl, just 3 months after he became a donor.

Scientists harvested his stem cells, and they were shipped to Mira's doctors who were in Cincinnati.

Mira survived several complications after her transplant. At one point, her chances of surviving were only five percent -- but she pulled through.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Downtown Green Bay is adding another new business to their growing portfolio.

InitiativeOne is opening an office and resource center at the corner of Walnut and Adams Street, right behind the Meyer Theatre.

The firm is investing $2.5 million to buy and renovate the property to better serve its expanding Midwest client base.

InitiativeOne is a high level strategic counseling and leadership development resource serving everything from Fortune 500 companies to pro sports franchises. 

CEO Fred Johnson says he expects construction to begin within the next couple of weeks and plans on creating 15 new jobs.

Of that $2.5 million investment, taxpayers will be loaning $105,000 which was approved by the city last week.

“It’s actually taking a loan and paying interest back on to it but it is also using that money as an investment and it will allow us to hire people faster and be able to put those people on payroll and be a part of contributing to the economic development of downtown Green Bay,” said Johnson.

The new business plans to open in January.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Governor Scott Walker Friday urged thousands of low-income Wisconsinites who use propane fuel to file applications with the state now for federal heating aid.

A propane shortage at the start of this year resulted in skyrocketing prices for the fuel -- and Walker said similar factors could repeat themselves this winter.

Walker said his administration would start processing applications now for propane fuel aid in the Wisconsin Housing and Energy Assistance Program -- rather than waiting until October when the program normally begins.

The governor said the applications would estimate the benefits to be given, and the state would lock in those propane prices while they're at cheaper levels for the summer.

Long periods of sub-zero cold, a pipeline closure, and a heavy usage of the fuel for crop drying all contributed to prices that went way above $5 a gallon.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Police say they caught three boys vandalizing the construction site of the new Seton Middle School after setting up trail cams to catch them in the act.

Authorities say they've received numerous reports of vandalism over the past two weeks at 1050 Zephyr Drive.

According to police, the crimes included spray painting, fire extinguishers being discharged, a storage building being entered and some construction equipment being driven around and into a fence.

So cops strategically placed trail cameras around the property and they were able to identify the boys through video.

On Thursday, the 12, 13 and 14-year-old boys were located and admitted their involvement in the vandalism.

All three are facing juvenile charges of burglary and damage to property.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Metro Firefighters were called early Sunday to a house fire on the city's east side.

Crews responded around 3:30 a.m. to the 1200 block of Brosig Street.

Officials say everyone got out of the home safely and it's unclear what caused the fire.

Residents affected are being helped by the Red Cross.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Appleton are looking for a dog that bit a man last week.

An 18-year-old man was approached by a rottweiler while walking near E. Eldorado and N. Union streets on August 19 around 11 a.m.

Police say the man bent down to greet the dog, which was not on a leash and the dog bit the man on top of his head. The bite caused an injury that required stitches.

A man went up to the victim, claiming to be the dog's owner, and spoke briefly with him before leaving with the dog.

The victim says the alleged dog owner didn't identify himself and is described as a white male with graying hair.

If you have any information regarding the incident, dog or dog owner, please contact CSO lead Matthew Fillebrown at (920) 832-6414.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Green Bay are investigating a bank robbery that happened Monday morning. 

The call came in at 10:39 a.m. from the Fox Communities Credit Union at 1313 Main Street.

Authorities say a white man, around 6 feet tall and weighing about 200 pounds, walked into the bank and demanded money from the teller. He claimed to have a weapon, but no one saw it.

Police say the suspect left with an unknown amount of money and ran west from the bank, then turned north on Irwin Avenue.

The man was wearing glasses and a multi-colored baseball hat, gray pullover sweatshirt with jeans and white athletic shoes.

If you have any information, please call Green Bay Police at 920-448-3200. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at (920) 432-STOP, on the web at www.432stop.com, or by texting GBTIP plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Lawrence University is reporting the passing of long-time Jazz Studies director Fred Sturm.

According to a news release, Sturm died on Sunday at his De Pere home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 63.

Sturm graduated from Lawrence in 1973 and returned to teach at the private university in Appleton.

He enjoyed a 37-year teaching career, including 26 years as director of jazz studies and improvisational music at Lawrence.

Sturm earned a 1997 Grammy Award nomination and was awarded the 2003 ASCAP/IAJE Commission in Honor of Quincy Jones, a prize granted annually to one jazz composer of international prominence.

Lawrence University will host a public memorial celebrating Sturm's life at a later date.

STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Firefighters in Sturgeon Bay worked to put out a fire Monday evening at the Quarterdeck Marina. 

The fire reported around 7p.m. 

The Door County Sheriff’s Department says there were at least 3 boats on fire. Crews were on scene late into the evening making sure the fire did not flare back up.

No injuries reported.

The sheriff’s department says it is still too early to tell where, or how, the fire started.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man convicted in a Green Bay murder has been sentenced to 36 years in prison.

Authorities say Jeffrey Wickman strangled Daniel Kuehl at Kuehl's home last May after breaking in to try and steal guns that could be traded for cash or drugs. Cops eventually recovered a stolen gun, leading to Wickman's arrest.

Wickman was convicted of one count of felony murder and 5 counts of a felon in possession of a firearm. He also will serve 14 years of total supervision after his prison sentence.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A judge has sentenced a Green Bay Preble high school student to probation for his role in a large fight near the school.

On Monday, 17-year-old Davion Austin was given 3 years probation and ordered to get a high school diploma or something of equal value.

Austin avoided jail after getting involved in a fight outside of Preble High in February 2014.

In that fight, one person had his jaw broken and another person was knocked out.

OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Sheriff's in Oconto County say two people are dead after a head-on crash Tuesday morning.

Authorities say it happened around 8 a.m. on Highway 32 just north of Bonita Road in the Town of Breed. That's between Suring and Mountain.

Sheriff's officials say a 19-year-old De Pere woman was driving northbound in a sedan when it crossed the center line and slammed into a southbound minivan driven by a 57-year-old Cuba City woman.

Both women died at the scene. None of the vehicles had passengers.

Officials continue to investigate but say alcohol doesn't appear to be a factor.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A garage fire this past Saturday in Appleton appears to be just one is a series of arson fires set early that morning.

The Appleton police and fire departments are investigating after being called to the blaze at 6:12 a.m. on W. River Road.

That fire destroyed a vehicle and caused structural damage to the home.

Before that fire, two vehicle fires happened on Royal Court in the Town of Menasha. A total of six vehicles were found with damage consistent with arson fires.

Police also say there were several vehicle entries and incidents of property damage that appear related to those fires. All of them happened on Appleton's south side in an area between Valley Road and the Fox River. They also believe to have happened during the early morning hours of August 23.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Sgt. Tauber at the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5526.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can Text-a-Tip. You can text CRIMES (274-637) with the keyword APDTIPS at the start of your message.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ/WisDOT) - The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Thursday for the Green Bay Packers/Kansas City Chiefs game that Highway 41 and adjacent roadways from Oneida St. north to Suamico are under construction.

The US 41/WIS 172 interchange could experience significant backups on both north and south U.S. 41 and east and west 172.

Closures, orange barrels, narrow lanes, soft shoulders and increased volume from commuter and recreational traffic in addition to game day traffic WILL affect game day travel.

Due to all the construction, Ashland Avenue through De Pere and Ashwaubenon will also experience increased traffic congestion as additional motorists use this as an alternate route. 

WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations and check WisDOT’s 511 website.  Additionally, motorists are advised to remain alert and plan on exercising patience as they drive through the Green Bay area.

Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packers fans will be traveling as they head for the game and the road conditions they should anticipate:

US 41 and WIS 172 Interchange

Motorists should expect heavy congestion and potential long delays at this interchange between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday afternoon and evening. Motorists should strongly consider avoiding this interchange area and utilize alternate routes if possible.

US 41

All construction on US 41 will cease on Packer game day, although barrier walls and orange barrels will be present in various locations

• Brown County
  • Drivers will encounter 11-foot travel lanes and reduced shoulders in multiple locations along a 10-mile segment of highway. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph from just south of Grant Street to Lineville Road. Temporary barrier wall at various locations will cause traffic to slow.

• Lineville Interchange Closed 
  • All 4 US 41 ramps at Lineville are closed, Lineville Road is closed between Brookfield Road and County J, West Deerfield is closed at Lineville and NB & SB traffic on East Deerfield will be maintained across Lineville road during the 60-day closure for access to local businesses. Use County B and Velp interchanges for access to and from US 41.

WIS 172

• Brown County
  • Eastbound WIS 172 to northbound US 41 ramp is closed for reconstruction. Eastbound  WIS 172 traffic wanting to exit to northbound US 41 will continue east on  WIS 172 and take the Oneida Street/Ashland Avenue exit which ends at Vanderperren Way; take Vanderperren Way west to Holmgren Way, follow Holmgren Way north to Pilgrim Way and take Pilgrim Way east to westbound WIS 172 on-ramp to northbound US 41.

I-43

• Brown County –
  • The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph on I-43 between Atkinson Drive and US 41.

WIS 29

• Brown County –
  • WIS 29/Shawano Ave between Packerland Drive and Taylor Street is closed for reconstruction; this includes both US 41 SB exit and entrance ramps and the US 41 northbound entrance ramp at Shawano Ave.
    • The US 41 northbound exit ramp at Shawano Ave is open to the WIS 29 Eastbound movement only.
    • WIS 29 westbound is detoured south on Military Ave to Mason Street, Mason west to US 41 and US 41 north to WIS 29.
    • WIS 29 eastbound is detoured south on US 41 to WIS 172, WIS 172 east to I43, and I43 south to WIS 29.
  • Access to and from US 41 via the new free-flow interchange ramps will be available.

WIS 41– Winnebago County

• US 41 has reduced speed  to 55 mph northbound from County II to County BB in Winnebago County.  There are still 3 lanes open to traffic in each direction.

WIS 32/57 – Calumet County

• The intersection of USH 10 and WIS 32/57 in Forest Junctions will be closed to traffic during Friday’s Packer game.   The WIS 32/57 detour route follows WIS32/57 to County HR to US 10 to County PP to County K to WIS 32/57.

Travelers should allow extra time and can check online for real-time traffic information, including travel times, lane closures and incidents, at Wisconsin 511 online (www.511wi.gov) or by calling 511 on a phone.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay police say an almost year-long investigation has led to the arrests of nine people, including the alleged ringleader of a street gang.

The Green Bay Police Department issued a release saying that they investigated the Bay City Latin Kings, the gang's alleged narcotics distribution and 26-year-old Michael Doxtator who is believed to be their leader.

“The defendant was identified as the top-ranking leader of the Bay City Kings – the local chapter of the Latin Kings gang,” Brown County Assistant District Attorney Carly Miller said during a probable cause hearing last Thursday, according to FOX 11.

Doxtator, 23-year-old Stephen Imbordino and 22-year-old Brian Gauthier all appeared in court. None of them were charged, but the court commissioner found enough probable cause that all three men committed various drug crimes.

“This is an incredibly organized gang and part of the drug trafficking goes towards funding gang activity, which does include firearm trafficking, stolen firearm trafficking, in the area of Green Bay, Wisconsin,” Miller said, per FOX 11.

According to police, Doxtator would drive to southeastern Wisconsin to purchase drugs for distribution in Green Bay and the Potawatomi Reservation area.

FOX 11 reports that drug task force records show 5 controlled-buy operations involved Doxtator and Oxycodone.

Last Tuesday, Green Bay police took Doxtator and Imbordino into custody during a traffic stop. Court records show police uncovered a pill bottle with over 80 oxycodone pills.

A search warrant of Imbordino’s home led to Gauthier’s arrest for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Doxtator and Imbordino remain behind bars in Brown County. Gauthier is now out on bond. All 3 are due back in court Friday.

Police say 6 other people are facing various referred misdemeanors and felony charges, and more arrests are expected in the coming days.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)