GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A man accused in a Green Bay murder has pled not guilty.
22-year-old Terry Shepard entered that plea on Monday in Brown County court.
Shepard is accused of shooting Steven Sims at an east side apartment back on April 15. Shepard says he did it in self-defense.
He's due back in court December 19.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Preble High School's field house is currently on track to re-open next month after a fire heavily damaged it this past summer.
On August 8, a fire caused $7.5 million in damage to the field house and other parts of the high school. It forced the start of the school year to be delayed nearly two weeks and added time on to each school day.
The Green Bay Area Public School District on Monday said that restoration work continues at the gym and also unveiled photos of the progress being made in a blog post. It is scheduled to re-open to the public on November 25.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Police say a man's drug overdose led to the discovery of a meth lab on the city's west side.
Authorities were called on Monday to 1436 West Mason Street for a 32-year-old man who had overdosed. Officials are unsure which drug the man took, and was rushed to the hospital.
When police officers followed up on the call, they found chemicals and equipment used to make meth. Investigators say the lab was inactive and there is no threat to the public.
Police also uncovered evidence of other illegal drugs and prescription meds being distributed from the home. Three adults were arrested.
State Department of Criminal Investigation crews are working to clean up the lab, which is expected to take several hours.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - On Broadway Inc. is looking for a new executive director.
Chris Naumann is leaving to take a similar position with Downtown Kenosha Inc. He says it wasn't an easy decision.
"A number of factors, I think, it was interesting the opportunity presented to me was really a unique opportunity to take a fledgling program and bring it into maturity," said Naumann on Monday. "In looking at the opportunity in Kenosha, there's clear support of development throughout their processes and their politics, I guess that's not as clear here right now and that weighed into my decision."
Also playing a role was the trying year Naumann and OBI has had in dealing with the controversial Walmart issue. Naumann said when he informed the Board of Directors of his decision, they were, "a little surprised."
“The recent successes of our world-class events are no small part due to his contributions and leadership. When an organization has success like this, other organizations take notice, and that is what has happened here,” On Broadway board President Elliot Christenson said in a statement. “Chris has been an effective leader and a great steward of Green Bay’s best neighborhood and family: The Broadway District."
During his time at OBI, Naumann has assisted in many revitalization efforts and events including the Titletown Brewery expansion, the Platten Place renovation, and the growth of the ever-popular Farmers’ Market On Broadway, which is the second largest farmers’ market in Wisconsin.
Naumann will be replaced on an interim basis by Tara Gokey in early December.
"She did a fantastic job in terms of project management for us," said Naumann. "Her specialization and focus is the marketing and promotion, which I think is the future of the organization."
The statement from OBI adds that Gokey has numerous additional plans to bring new life into the district including the first ever Winter Wine Walk On Broadway in December, and new special events in the coming year to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of On Broadway.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - An altercation with a minor led to the arrest of a Green Bay man Monday.
Green Bay Police were looking for the 37-year-old man involved and tracked him to a home in the 1100 block of S. Clay Street around 6 p.m.
According to police, the man threatened officers if they tried to get into the home. Authorities say the neighborhood wasn't in any danger.
The man was arrested about 2 hours later. Due to the incident, traffic had to be re-routed for a short time.
KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) - A Kaukauna apartment is damaged following a kitchen fire Monday night.
Fire crews were called around 9:30 p.m. to the apartment in the 1000 block of Oviatt Street.
Authorities say oil overheated on the stove top, and it caught fire. It damaged the stove, range hood and kitchen floor before someone in the apartment used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
No one was injured. The blaze caused less than $1,000 in damage.
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Police in Oshkosh are investigating a drive-by shooting Monday evening.
Cops got a report about someone firing a gun from a vehicle at a home in the 200 block of W. 16th Avenue around 6:30 p.m.
No one was injured and police believe this to be an isolated incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oshkosh Police at (920) 236-5700.
MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - If you haven't raked your leaves yet, the state DNR has some advice.
Officials urge residents to either send their leaves to a compost pile -- or mulch them in place by mowing.
The DNR says both options are better than burning leaves, or putting them in the garbage. That's because composting saves landfill space, and not burning them preserves air quality and prevents the risks of sparks that can start grass and brush fires.
By mulching, the DNR says lawns can get essential nutrients like carbon, potassium, and phosphorus.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
NEW HOLSTEIN, WI (WTAQ) - New Holstein police are on the lookout for a man who offered a girl a ride home Monday night.
Authorities say it happened in the area of Wisconsin Avenue and Railroad Street around 8:30 p.m. as the girl was walking home alone from a friend's house.
The man was driving, pulled over and asked the girl for directions to Plymouth Street. He then asked her where she was going and if she needed a ride home.
Police are not saying how old the girl was.
The man was described as white, late 30s, bald with facial hair on his chin. He was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt. The car was a dark red or maroon four-door vehicle, with fish symbols on the right rear and an exhaust system that rattled. Police say the license plate contained the letter X.
Anyone with information is asked to call New Holstein police at (920) 898-4241.
Ashwaubenon, WI (WTAQ) - Jet Air is taking off....at least on the ground.
The company, headquarted at Austin Straubel International Airport, announces a major expansion.
With Governor Scott Walker doing the hoonors, the ribbon is cut on a new, 36-thousand square foot hangar.
Jet Air C-E-O Al Timmerman says aircraft, from large commercial jets to small, private planes, can be maintained, even rebuilt, as well as stored and refuled.
The expansion, and increased business, means the company has been able to hire more people.
DALLAS (WTAQ) - Kimberly-Clark said Tuesday it would eliminate up to 1,300 jobs in a worldwide restructuring.
However, company spokesman Bob Brand said there would most likely be "very little impact" on production workers -- thousands of whom produce Kleenex, toilet paper, and paper towels in the Fox Valley.
Brand said the job cuts would be spread around the globe, primarily affecting salaried employees.
The unexpected layoffs were announced as part of Kimberly-Clark's announcement of its quarterly earnings.
Kimberly-Clark moved its headquarters from the Fox Valley to Dallas in the 1980's -- but it kept much of its research and development operations in Wisconsin, along with a sizable amount of its production.
Kimberly-Clark has a total of 57,000 employees. That will be reduced to 42,500 later this year when its health care business is spun off as a separate company.
Brand said none of K-C's health care operations are in the Badger State.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A plea deal has been reached for one of the three women accused in a murder-for-hire case in the Fox Valley.
In court Tuesday, prosecutors dropped a first-degree intentional homicide charge against 40-year-old Rosie Campbell in exchange for her testimony against 35-year-old Kandi Siveny and her mother, 54-year-old Dianna Siveny.
Campbell then pled no contest to charges of criminal damage to property and theft.
All three were charge in connection with the shooting death of 30-year-old Lara Plamann.
According to investigators, Dianna offered Campbell $5,000 to kill her former partner and when she backed out, Kandi allegedly shot Plamann in Greenville in 2007.
Police say in 2013 Campbell confessed, saying she witnessed the murder. But in August, Campbell refused to testify, even with an immunity offer on the table.
The judge in the case ordered both Sivenys to be released on bond earlier this year, saying the state violated their right to a speedy trial. They were jailed since being arrested in February 2013.
(Additional reporting from FOX 11).
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities have issued a Silver Alert for a Green Bay woman last seen at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday.
Police are looking for 63-year-old Joan Rosloniec. She's described as white, 5'8" and 105 pounds. Rosloniec was last seen wearing a red fleece top, tan pants and tan shoes.
Authorities think she may be with 66-year-old Daniel Rosloniec, who's pictured above. Daniel may or may not have a beard as shown in the photo.
They may be traveling in a white 2004 Oldsmobile Alero with a WI Temporary license plate, J3899N.
If you have any information, please contact Green Bay Police Department at (920) 448-3208.
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Green Bay Alderman Chris Wery is apologizing after a controversial e-mail exchange with the founder of UW-Green Bay's Muslim Student Association.
WTAQ has obtained the e-mail exchange between Wery and Heba Mohammad. Mohammad had sent an e-mail to each member of the Green Bay city council asking about the possibility of having free transportation on Green Bay Metro on Election Day.
"I hate to think that those who cannot afford an extra bus ticket will be unable to vote because of their income status. It's even more frustrating when you add to the equation that all bus routes are free on Packers game days, even routes that do not go to Lambeau Field. With the Voter ID bill struck down, it would be a shame if this problem is the obstacle that keeps our residents from the polls. What I am asking of you is to help fix this oversight. Full, easy, and free access to polling locations is vital to a successful and democratic Election Day," the e-mail stated in part.
Here was Alderman Wery's response:
"Thank you for the email. You pose an interesting question that deserves some further research. UWGB is my alma mater. I am just curious, you are the founder of the Muslim Student Association at UWGB?
Across the country there seem to be some problems here and there with some MSA's. I just want to be assured that your group in no way promotes or defends militant Islamic ideology or Sharia law.
Do you and the MSA condemn both of those as well as terrorist groups such as HAMAS?"
"Well I think like most people I was pretty shocked," Mohammad, reached by phone, tells WTAQ. "After the shock it was a little bit of me feeling offended, which I think was justified."
Mohammad took to social media, posting the entire e-mail chain to her Facebook account. Comments ranged from outrage to calling Wery a bigot.
"Well, definitely I should've handled it differently," said Wery on Tuesday. "I actually called and spoke with Ms. Mohammad and apologized and we had a good discussion."
Wery says he's received some backlash for this and blames trying to do too many things at once. Mohammad says she accepted his apology.
"I do and I think it was very big of him to call me and explain himself," Mohammad said.
While many commenters and friends of Mohammad are looking for action to be taken against Wery, or for him to resign, Mohammad prefers to focus on the original issue at hand.
"Honestly, I hope that we get that free bus transportation. At the very core, I'm really committed to making sure that everyone can get to the polls if they need to without any restrictions."
Mohammad and Wery both say it's unlikely that will happen in time for the upcoming November 4th election.
SHAWANO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) -Three teenagers are dead after a crash in Shawano County.
It happened before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 22 in the Town of Belle Plaine.
The sheriff’s department says it appears a car lost control and crossed the center line, and was hit by an oncoming SUV.
Two people were dead at the scene. Two others were taken to the hospital, where one later died.
Authorities say an 18-year-old man from Shawano, a 17-year-old boy from Shawano and a 15-year-old girl from Bonduel were killed. There’s no word on the condition of the other person who was hurt.
The crash is still under investigation. The highway was shut down for accident reconstruction, but has since reopened.
LARSEN, WI (WTAQ) - Winnebago County authorities say a standoff in Larsen is over.
A tweet sent by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department at 12:47 p.m. said: "Update -- barricaded subject in custody. Thank you for your cooperation."
No other information has been made available.
Earlier, Sheriff John Matz said deputies responded to 8936 County Highway T to resolve a dispute between a man and a female Tuesday. After the situation appeared to be resolved, deputies left the home.
However, deputies who checked back Wednesday morning found the man forced his way back inside the house and put up barricades. Officials made contact with the man, but he threatened to harm himself or anyone who came in.
The man is in his late 20s, but we do not know his name. The female was safe with other family members.
Authorities evacuated some of the homes nearby as a precaution.
DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A bratwurst can be a dangerous thing.
Just ask a 71-year-old driver from Illinois, whom according to authorities, sideswiped a van while eating Wisconsin's most famous sausage.
It happened late Sunday morning in southern Door County on the four-lane Highway 57 near Brussels.
Sheriff's deputies said the Illinois driver from Inverness was chomping on his brat when his vehicle crossed a center line and sideswiped a van he was passing at the time.
Both units were going south. Nobody was hurt.
The passing driver was ticketed for inattentive driving.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
WAUKESHA, WI (WTAQ) - About 260 public school teachers in Neenah can resume their lawsuit which seeks to restore early retirement benefits taken away after Act 10 took effect.
The state appeals court in Waukesha Wednesday overturned a ruling from a Winnebago County Circuit Judge. That decision said teachers could only file legal claims if they included itemized lists of the relief they were seeking.
Only two were able to do so, so the judge dropped the other 259 claims while considering the case a class-action lawsuit.
Wednesday, the 2nd District Appellate Court said the reasoning was incorrect -- and it said the county court should consider the lawsuit on its merits.
The early retirement option was given to many Neenah teachers hired in the 1990's. They were given the chance to retire at age 55 if they had 15 years of service in the school district. They were promised additional retirement stipends, plus health coverage until they were eligible for Medicare.
The plan was reduced in the fall of 2012, with smaller payments going into health reimbursement accounts. Administrators also saw cutbacks.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
KEWAUNEE, WI (WTAQ) - A half-dozen groups have asked the federal EPA to investigate groundwater pollution in Kewaunee County, close to Lake Michigan in the east central part of the state.
The environmental groups accused the state DNR of not doing enough to regulate groundwater and over-see large dairy farming operations.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel obtained the petition, which said almost a-third of about 150 wells tested in Kewaunee County this year failed to meet government health standards for bacteria, nitrates, or both.
The tests were said to have been done by Kewaunee County and evaluated by UW-Stevens Point experts.
The Journal Sentinel said dairy operations have grown dramatically in the county in both size and number since 1983 -- and Kewaunee was 1 of just 4 Wisconsin counties which saw an increase in cows during that time.
Elizabeth Wheeler of Clean Wisconsin said Kewaunee area residents "gamble with their health" just by turning on their water faucets.
The DNR has not commented as of late morning.
Besides Clean Wisconsin, the groups asking for federal intervention were Kewaunee Cares, the area's Clean Water Action Council, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Midwest Environmental Defense Center, and the Environmental Integrity Project.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - An overnight crash in Winnebago County leaves a Green Bay woman injured.
Authorities say the crash happened around midnight on Highway 10 at Highway 45. That's between New London and Menasha.
A 55-year-old Green Bay woman was struck by a semi truck driving the wrong way on a ramp. She suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
The semi driver from Utah wasn’t hurt.
The highway was closed for several hours after the crash.
