Omro business owner posts anti-city billboard on Highway 21

September 25, 2014, 8:04 am

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WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Many people have noticed the big billboard on Highway 21 in Winnebago County.

It reads, “If you’re planning to move your business to Omro, stop! The city will not support you.”

Omro business owner David Dyer is expressing his frustration with the city where he moved more than 20 years ago. He says city officials make it hard for him to do business.

Something as simple as repaving his parking lot has added to his frustration.

The city says Dyer failed to submit the needed plans, so the work was halted. A compromise was finally reached.

Dyer says it shouldn’t have been that hard. He says he has no plans to take the billboard down.

Omro city officials say they have no plans to fight it.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

 

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Black Creek pastor's underage sexual history uncovered

September 25, 2014, 8:45 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - We're learning more about a pastor at a church in Black Creek who's charged with sexual assault of a child.

34-year-old Jerry Fletcher is facing 3 counts of sexual assault of child, child enticement and child sexual exploitation in Brown County. The Neenah man is a minister at Crossover Ministries.

According to investigators, Fletcher admitted to having sex with a then 15-year-old girl several times in December at his previous home in Allouez.

More charges are possible as investigators have identified several other young females, according to court documents.

However this isn't the first time Fletcher has been charged with sexual assault of a minor. Previous cases happened in Illinois and Arizona.

FOX 11 reports that Fletcher was charged in Stephenson County, Illinois for having sex with a girl between the age of 13 and 16 back in 1998. Fletcher, who was 18 at the time, was convicted in 2000 and sentenced to 2 years probation.

Illinois State Police indicate Fletcher was required to register as a sex offender for 10 years, but left the state for Arizona shortly after his conviction.

Then 2 years later, an Arizona court charged Fletcher with 4 counts of knowingly having sex with a person under the age of 18. An arrest warrant was issued and that case remains open.

According to a Yavapai County, Arizona sheriff's official, Fletcher was arrested twice in Wisconsin in 2005 and '07. But the county's deputy prosecutor told FOX 11 the warrant only covered surrounding states, and the state may re-visit the case.

Fletcher’s bond is at $150,000. He's expected back in court next month.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Manitowoc woman arrested after alleged child abuse

September 25, 2014, 9:38 am

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A 31-year-old Manitowoc woman faces a potential felony child abuse charge for an incident Monday afternoon.

Ruthann Gneiser allegedly “beat and scalded” her 5-year-old son who has Down syndrome.

A probable cause affidavit shows that the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department received a call from the Aurora Medical Center Monday reporting the boy had been brought in with heavy bruising on his back and burns over 50 percent of his body.

Gneiser told authorities she, “Got as angry as I have ever been,” and began to slap the boy repeatedly with the back of her open hand. She hit him so hard that he defecated in his pants.

Gneiser says she pulled the boy into the shower and turned it on the coldest temperature setting until, “he got himself cleaned up.” Gneiser then allegedly turned on the hot water in the bathtub where she believes her son sat in the water from one to one-and-a-half minutes.

The affidavit states medical attention wasn’t sought until 3 hours after the alleged incident. The boy was taken to the Milwaukee Children’s Hospital where he is to undergo surgery.

Gneiser is free on $10,000 cash bail, provided she have no contact with her son and no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.

She’s due back in Manitowoc County Circuit Court Monday for an initial appearance.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Gun report puts Manitowoc schools on lockdown Thursday

September 25, 2014, 4:13 pm

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Four schools in Manitowoc were put on lockdown Thursday afternoon as police investigate a report of a man with a long gun in the neighborhood.

The concerned citizen told Manitowoc police that a white male in his early 20's was jogging in the 700 block of N. 6th Street with what appeared to be a, "black shotgun."

As a precaution, Wilson Junior High, Madison, McKinley and Immanuel Lutheran schools were locked down.

Officers eventually tracked down 20-year-old Daniel J. Wachholz at his home in the 600 block of N. 6th Street. The weapon turned out to be a pellet gun. Wachholz was cited for failing to encase the gun while being transported, which is a $124 fine.

An 18-year-old acquaintance of Wachholz, who tipped police off to his whereabouts, was arrested on an outstanding city warrant, according to police.

The schools were locked down for less than an hour. 

Wisconsin's first confirmed Enterovirus D68 case is in Door County

September 25, 2014, 4:20 pm

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin has its first confirmed case of Enterovirus D68.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say it was a child in Door County, who has since recovered.

The CDC has received reports of the EV-D68 infections happening in multiple states since mid-August.

"We anticipate that there's Enterovirus D68 throughout the state, to what extent we don't actually know," says Wisconsin Department of Public Health Epidemiologist Thomas Haupt. "But we anticipate that were going to have more cases confirmed over the next couple of weeks."

Symptoms of the virus include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body aches. The most severe cases can make breathing difficult.

Health officials say enteroviruses present themselves as the common cold. The D68 strain affects the respiratory system and can last about a week. Children are the most susceptible – especially those with breathing problems or compromised immune systems.

Infants, children and teenagers are most likely to get infected and become ill. Practicing good hygiene helps prevent the spread of this and other viruses.

For more information about Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), visit: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/DiseasePages/enteroviruses.htm

For additional information on EV-D68, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html

Leo Frigo Bridge sagging happened one year ago Thursday

September 25, 2014, 4:27 pm

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The infamous sagging of the Leo Frigo Memorial Bridge happened one year ago Thursday.

One of the bridge’s support piers dropped about two feet. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, soil conditions corroded steel pilings on the bridge causing one of them to buckle.

Today, all is well on the bridge again.

Here’s a look back:

• On Sept. 25, 2013, the bridge sagging problems began.
• Crews worked long hours to make the repairs, and the bridge reopened on Jan. 5, two weeks ahead of schedule.
• The repairs cost about $15 million, which was lower than first estimated $18-$20 million.
• The final report on this project is due out later this fall.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Ashwaubenon fire could smolder for hours

September 26, 2014, 5:30 am

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Ashwaubenon, WI (WTAQ) - Crews are on the scene of a fire at Little Rapids Corporation in Ashwaubenon. 

The call came in around 6 a.m. this morning (Friday) for the fire on Parkview Road.  

The fire is apparently in a warehouse, where bales of paper are located.  No injuries reported, but they say it could take hours to make sure the fire is out. 

No word on how the fire started.  There are road closures in the industrial area due to the fire.

The company makes healthcare and beauty products.

Motorcycle crash overnight kills Chilton man

September 26, 2014, 7:42 am

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HARRISON, WI (WTAQ) - Calumet County authorities say one man is dead after a motorcycle crash overnight.

Officials say it happened on Highway 114 in the Village of Harrison around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

A 28-year-old Chilton motorcycle rider missed a curve and lost control.

The victim's name has not been publicly released.

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Police military vehicle use debated in Appleton

September 26, 2014, 7:59 am

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Although there are concerns about local police departments using surplus military vehicles, Appleton police and the Outagamie Sheriff’s Department are hanging on to theirs.

Police say it’s not a weapon, it’s a piece of safety equipment. They admit it is pretty large.

Concerns about its use were discussed during a safety and licensing committee meeting Thursday.

Several people questioned the need for it by pointing to Appleton’s low crime rate and the rioting which took place in Ferguson, Missouri. Similar vehicles were used for crime control there and they were blamed for inciting some of the violence.

The issue is scheduled to go before the full Appleton City Council next week.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

 

Arson fires set in Manitowoc overnight

September 27, 2014, 4:22 am

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MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - Manitowoc Police are investigating what they're calling a suspicious train fire overnight.

Authorities were called around 1 a.m. Saturday for a report of a fire at a train rail yard at S. 26th and Dewey Streets.

Two separate train cars were on fire.

Authorities determined that the blazes were the result of arson. No word yet on any possible suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Manitowoc Police Department at (920) 686-6500, or Detective Trilling at (920) 686-6583.

Appleton's Octoberfest expected to draw thousands today

September 27, 2014, 4:26 am

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - It's expected to be a busy day in downtown Appleton as Octoberfest returns for another year.

Festivities kicked off Friday night with more than 400 classic cars, including this year's featured car, the Mustang, in front of City Center Plaza. 50 Mustangs in all were on display, one from each year.

For the biggest block party today, entertainment begins as early as 9 a.m. and will run until 6 p.m. The Arts and Crafts and the Family Fun area, along with 100 food booths and five stages with 20 bands will line College Avenue.

The event is a big fundraiser for many local not-for-profits that set up booths.

Organizers want to remind visitors to bring an I.D. if they plan on purchasing beer tickets as everyone will be carded. Beer ticket sales are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

There will be a special Octoberfest brew available this year called Magic Marzeniac.

For more information on Octoberfest, click here.

Appleton police urge attendees to get there early, and if you do arrive later than others, find a legal way to park.

Traffic will be impacted, and the Appleton Police Department is urging motorists to plan ahead if they drive in and around the city's downtown. Detour signs will be marked, and cops will also be on hand to direct traffic.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Democrat Mary Burke apologizes for Neenah School District reference in Act 10 ad

September 27, 2014, 4:38 am

≫ Next: Oshkosh police warn of suspicious tree cutting service

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NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - The Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor has apologized to the superintendent of schools in the Neenah School District.

Mary Burke had cited Neenah schools as being the negative result of the Wisconsin law known as Act 10. It effectively ended collective bargaining for the state’s teachers.

District administrator Mary Pfeiffer says Burke apologized on the phone last week, then apologized again in person Friday. Pfeiffer says Burke has agreed not to use Neenah as her example in the political debate again.

Pfeiffer accepted the apology and told reporters she doesn’t think Burke meant to disparage the district.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

 

Oshkosh police warn of suspicious tree cutting service

September 27, 2014, 4:59 am

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police are warning residents to be on the lookout for an individual claiming to be from the city who's looking to cut down a tree on their property.

This comes after a resident told police that a man knocked on his door September 17 and claimed he was with the City of Oshkosh and he was there to cut down a tree.

The resident allowed the individual into his backyard in the 600 block of W. 11th Ave. to look at the tree, and after 10 minutes they both walked to the front yard.

The man asked to see the individuals' ID, but he wouldn't show one. That person left in a truck that did not have a city logo on it with another individual driving.

The individual is described as 5’6″ and well dressed. As far as the resident knows, nothing was missing from their house.

If you have any information regarding this incident please call (920) 236-5700.

The City of Oshkosh says if someone comes to your door and says they are with the city, ask to see their ID. If they refuse to show you one, do not go outside with the individual, call the Oshkosh Police Department.

Appleton north side burglary suspect arrested

September 27, 2014, 5:03 am

≫ Next: Crash in Menasha kills one person, injures two others

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A suspect believed to be responsible for a pair of burglaries on Appleton's north side has been arrested.

Police were able to tie the Appleton man to the crimes after he used gift cards he stole from one of the homes on September 12.

Investigators believe that it's possible the man broke into other homes on the city's north side through unlocked doors or garages.

The suspect would take items from the kitchen or dining room areas after breaking in.

If you have information related to these burglaries, please contact Sgt. Dan Tauber (920)832-5526.

Crash in Menasha kills one person, injures two others

September 28, 2014, 6:17 am

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MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Alcohol looks to be a factor in a single vehicle crash in Menasha.

Authorities say it happened at the intersection of Melissa and Visgro Streets around 2:15 a.m. Sunday.

Police say the driver was killed after the vehicle he was driving struck a tree. Two other people inside the vehicle were seriously hurt.

 

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One woman killed, man injured in Forest County motorcycle crash

September 28, 2014, 6:24 am

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FOREST COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A motorcycle crash in Forest County leaves one woman dead and a man injured.

Authorities say it happened Saturday on Highway 55 north of Argonne.

A 20-year-old Wrightstown woman died, while a 24-year-old Appleton man was rushed to the hospital.

Deputies say the driver missed a corner, left the road and slammed into a tree.

The crash is still under investigation.

Green Bay crash snarls morning traffic

September 29, 2014, 6:22 am

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Green Bay, WTAQ) - The Green Bay Police Department advises you to AVOID the 1100 block of Shawano Av, near Onieda Street because of a street closure due to a vehicle crash this morning. 

Minor injuries reported, but the main reason for the closure is due to a utility pole being hit, that caused power lines to obstruct traffic.  WSP working to make repairs.

The P-D suggests that motorists use Dousman St or W Mason St as alternate routes.  

October is "Cyber Security Awareness Month"

September 29, 2014, 8:26 am

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - October is just two days away -- and officials plan a month-long campaign to make you smarter when you go online.

Next month is "Cyber Security Awareness Month."

Tod Pritchard of Wisconsin Emergency Management says the scope of online breaches is alarming. State residents lost almost $6.5 million to cyber scams last year -- and the average victim lost $1,900.

Nationally, over 260,000 consumers complained to the Federal Trade Commission. They reported $782 million in losses in 2013 -- 48 percent more than the previous year.

Pritchard gives advice that most of us have heard before, but many have not heeded -- like not opening unfamiliar e-mails, or clicking on strange links when opening an e-mail that's fraudulently sent with the name of someone you know.

Also, Pritchard warns that virtually anyone can tap into your computer when you use free Wi-Fi in public places. He says it's a good idea not to access your bank account in public, so you don't give away your most sensitive passwords.

ReadyWisconsin.wi.Gov has more information on cyber security.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Construction work begins on Roland Kampo Bridge

September 29, 2014, 8:36 am

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MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Traffic will be hampered in the Fox Valley as construction work begins on the Roland Kampo Bridge expansion project.

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation say drivers should be prepared for lane restrictions, lane closings and narrow lanes on the bridge, which carries Highway 441/U.S. Highway 10 over Little Lake Butte des Morts.

Crews will start staging for a contractor's access lane this week, forcing eastbound lanes to be closed overnight. Starting at 11 p.m. Wednesday, westbound lanes will be closed for 5 hours to remove supports for overhead signs. Lanes also will be reduced to 11 feet wide and shoulders will be narrowed over the next 2 years.

• Click here for daily updates on the project

The work is the start of a project which will add a second bridge, south of the existing bridge, to handle eastbound traffic. The current bridge will then carry westbound traffic, with both bridges being 3 lanes wide.

It's part of a 5-year, $475 million project to rebuild and expand Highway 441 from Cold Spring Road to about a half-mile east of Oneida Street.

Report: Wisconsin saw 55 total deaths from domestic violence in 2013

September 29, 2014, 1:13 pm

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - 39 domestic abuse victims were murdered in Wisconsin last year.

That's according to the 12th annual analysis of domestic violence deaths released Monday by the group End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin.

Officials said this year's report was "unlike any other," because the murder victims included a woman dedicated to helping abuse victims. 45-year-old Trish Waschbisch, the interim head of a domestic abuse service facility in Marinette County, was killed by her boyfriend a year-and-a-half ago.

Brent Kaempf was recently sentenced to life in prison with no chance for a supervised release. Her former facility, the Rainbow House, has two memorial funds in honor of Waschbisch.

Also, 6-year-old Ja'kyla King of Milwaukee was killed by her father just before he committed suicide. Jeramie King was among 16 abusers who either took their own lives, or were killed by police officers.

The deaths took place in 22 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. 13 domestic abuse homicides occurred in Milwaukee County.

You can view the entire report here.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)