TOWN OF MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Town of Menasha police have identified the man whose body was found in his apartment last week.

Police say 68-year-old William Summers was found in the 2500 block of Wilson Court Thursday morning. Investigators say Summers had lived in the complex for 14 years.

Authorities believe Summers' death resulted from a burglary of his apartment gone badly. Later Thursday, police identified and interviewed a suspect. The 42-year-old man was jailed on a probation hold.

The suspect doesn't have a permanent address and had been staying with relatives in the same apartment complex.

Police say they plan to meet with prosecutors in the next day or two to pursue formal charges.

MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) - Menasha police are investigating after two people allegedly used stolen or duplicated credit cards to buy Dollar General gift cards.

Authorities released surveillance images of the suspects (above); who they say purchased thousands of dollars' worth of the gift cards.

Anyone who has information is asked to call Menasha police at (920) 967-3500 or send a text message to Winnebago Countywide Crimestoppers at 27463 with the keyword IGOTYA.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say Wayne Missling has been found and the Silver Alert has been cancelled.

No word on his condition or the circumstances leading to the Silver Alert cancellation.

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A Silver Alert has been issued for missing 84-year-old Wayne Missling of Appleton.

Missling was last seen wearing a red plaid flannel shirt, blue jeans and white tennis shoes around 1 p.m. Monday.

Authorities indicate that Missling is about 5'9" and 153 pounds.

The alert says he was expected at his daughter’s house in Greenville, but never arrived.

He may be driving 2004 gray Buick Rendezvous with the license plate number 176 GEJ.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office at (920) 832-5000.

TOWN OF ROCKLAND, WI (WTAQ) - A bus carrying four students is involved in a crash Tuesday near De Pere.

Authorities say it happened near Midway Road in the Town of Rockland.

No one was injured when the bus slipped off the road and into a ditch around 7 a.m.

HOWARD, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say a missing 13-year-old Howard girl reported missing on Monday has been found safe in Green Bay.

Details at this point are sketchy, but police say Abigail Lytie was found on the city's east side. Police are working on reuniting Lytie with her parents.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday that an "unknown person" called the Howard school she attends and provided an excuse for her absence.

Authorities considered Lytie "missing endangered" due to previous medical issues.

WAUPACA, WI (WTAQ) - The man charged with two arsons in New London says he's not guilty.

That's the plea entered Tuesday by 19-year-old Jesse McLamarrah. 

McLamarrah is facing nine charges, including two for attempted homicide and two for arson after allegedly setting fires at a building housing a bar and several apartments.

He also allegedly set a fire at New London High School, damaging a playground outside.

Police say McLamarrah told them the fire was payback for an unpaid drug debt. 

No trial date was set. Online court records indicate McLamarrah returns to court November 5 for a status conference.

TOWN OF PITTSFIELD, WI (WTAQ) - The Brown County Sheriff's Department says the reward for information on a missing Pittsfield woman has been increased to $10,000.

Victoria Prokopovitz was last seen at her home on April 25, 2013. Prokopovitz left behind her purse with her ID, money and cell phone.

Since that time, friends and family have been trying to figure out what happened to her. Investigation efforts have failed to turn up any clues as to why the 60-year-old Prokopovitz disappeared without identification, money or a vehicle.

This reward will expire in 90 days.

It's the third time her family has increased the reward. Earlier this year, her family first offered a $1,000 reward and upped the amount to $2,500 this past April.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Brown County Sheriff’s Investigative Division at (920) 448-4230, Crime Stoppers at (920) 432-7867 or send a text message to 274637 with the keyword GBTIP and the information. People who wish to remain anonymous can do so through the Crime Stoppers hotline.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - A Fox Valley man is pleading no contest to charges of sexually assaulting two teenage girls.

19-year-old Tyler Jochman, who's a former Appleton Police Department community service officer, was accused of assaulting the girls, ages 15 and 17, at his apartment. 

Jochman resigned from the police department following his arrest in May.

Jochman entered into a deferred prosecution agreement on the most serious charge, which is second-degree sexual assault. That means if he stays out of trouble, he won't be sentenced on that charge.

He still faces sentencing on December 1st to three other charges.

The Appleton Police Department says that community service officers are not sworn police officers and aid the department with a variety of civilian duties.

APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - If you're in the market for a big hotel, the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel is up for sale.

The hotel was listed on Auction.com Tuesday. The minimum bid was listed as $7.5 million.

The Paper Valley is currently owned by a group of investors that once held the property’s mortgage. Those investors bought the hotel in early 2013 after a previous owner defaulted on the mortgage.

City leaders tell FOX 11 the sale is a step forward for investors to move ahead with the future Fox Cities Exhibition Center.

“We have expected a sale of the hotel from day one, so this event is no surprise and is consistent with our planning,” said Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna.

Last month, Paper Valley announced it had completed over $1 million in upgrades to the hotel.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - Oshkosh police are looking for three witnesses who may have seen a stabbing this past weekend.

Authorities say two people were walking in the area of the 400 block of W. Lincoln Avenue between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday. Someone walked up to them and tried to steal a cell phone. One of the victims was stabbed in the scuffle. After a chase, a second person was stabbed. Both were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Police say 3 men were close to one of the victims when he was attacked and they spoke with the suspect before the incident. Detectives want to speak with these witnesses.

Meanwhile, authorities say they have found a man who was walking with another man who attacked a pair of oncoming men Sunday night on N. McKinley Street. The attacker was arrested.

The second man was not involved in the attack, police say, and is cooperating with the investigation.

Police are also investigating a robbery Thursday at 751 Wisconsin Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Artus at (920) 236-5726 or Winnebago Area Crime Stoppers at (920) 231-8477.

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin can get almost any kind of weather in October -- so it should be no surprise that snow is in the forecast for much of the north this week.

The National Weather Service says about one-inch of snow is possible later Monday and Monday night in northwest Wisconsin. It's expected to be limited to grassy surfaces for the most part.

Meanwhile, the Weather Service says far north central Wisconsin could get "a few inches" of snow with falling temperatures late Thursday night and into Halloween on Friday.

Forecasters say highs might not get out of the 30's as far south as Wausau on Friday.

Parts of mid-Wisconsin had a couple inches of snow earlier this month, which stuck around for only a few hours.

Parts of Oconto and Marinette counties had an unusual late October hailstorm early Tuesday morning. It took longer than normal for the hail to melt. Golf ball-sized hail fell in the Peshtigo area.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

MILWAUKEE (WTAQ) - A political ad apparently running on a Milwaukee urban radio station about Wisconsin's governor's race is garnering attention.

But that social media attention has more to do with its unusual nature than its message.

It's been posted on YouTube, and linked to a number of different blogs and Twitter. St. Norbert College political science professor Charley Jacobs watched the advertisement.

"Not maybe the most bizarre I've ever seen but it ranks up there pretty high," says Jacobs. "For this race it's certainly probably among the most bizarre things that we've seen aired in support or in opposition to either candidate or their policies."

The ad, from a group called Citizens for Urban Justice, goes negative against both Republican Scott Walker and Democrat Mary Burke. After watching the ad, the incumbent Walker seems to be given the less-scathing review of the two candidates.

"It's not about trying to make the case for Scott Walker, and I would argue more than anything else, it's an attempt to try to keep those Democrats and liberals who are most likely to vote for Mary Burke home," says Jacobs.

It's tantamount to voter suppression, according to Jacobs, who adds that keeping those Democratic votes home potentially will only help Governor Walker in an election that largely will be judge on turnout.

"If the ad can suggest to that community that Mary Burke is not a qualified candidate, whose policies that she would produce while governor wouldn't benefit them, they might just stay home and sit out the race," says Jacobs.

The effect of this ad from an outside group, who's only known prior contributions, was during the Milwaukee County Sheriff's race earlier this year, remains unclear. 

"I think that for some people, who often are very jaded about the political process and about the impact that a single vote can have on improving the community, it may help the Walker campaign in keeping some people home," said Jacobs.

Jacobs adds that the group's advertising could be more effective had they bought more air time, for a longer period, and without Burke's heavy political hitters coming into Milwaukee urging them to get out and vote November 4.

CRANDON, WI (WTAQ) - A teenager accused of causing a traffic death in northeast Wisconsin will get more time to work out a plea deal.

At a pre-trial conference Tuesday, a Forest County judge was told that a resolution was not imminent in the case of 18-year-old Austin Ginter. He has pleaded not guilty to counts of reckless homicide and reckless injury for a one-vehicle crash July 13th on Old 8 Road near Crandon.

15-year-old Chance Harcus was killed in the crash, and a 16-year-old girl was injured along with Ginter.

The State Patrol estimated that Ginter was driving at 114 to 126 miles an hour before the vehicle slammed into several trees.

Ginter was living in Laona but has since moved to Crandon. He's free on a $7,500 cash bond, with another pre-trial conference set for January 27th.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke is responding to a story posted online late Tuesday claiming she was fired for poor performance from Trek Bicycle.

According to Wisconsin Reporter, Burke was director of European operations for Trek when that arm of the bicycle manufacturer saw, "steep overseas financial losses and plummeting morale among Burke's sales staff."

"That's ridiculous," says Burke before touring UW-Green Bay's campus Wednesday. "Frankly, this is the sort of nonsense six days before an election, with baseless allegations that are deterring from the issues that are really important here."

When asked if there was someone else, like her brother and current Trek President John Burke, who could support or vouch for her record at Trek, she responded quickly.

"Absolutely...because they would be happy to answer any questions regarding that," said Mary Burke. 

However, any specifics regarding time, date or whom would be doing so was not given as the less than four-and-a-half minute press availability came to an end.

In a statement from Trek Bicycle Corp. concerning the Wisconsin Reporter story:

"This last-minute attempt to disparage Mary’s contributions to Trek is attributed to Gary Ellerman, Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. Mr. Ellerman was fired from Trek in 2004. His politically motivated characterizations of Mary and her tenure at Trek are inaccurate.

When Mary was in charge of Europe, she grew sales from $3 million to $50 million. In 1993 Mary decided that it was time for her to make a change and she left Trek. In 1995, John Burke asked Mary Burke to return to Trek to help with some key areas of the business. After she returned, Mary assumed the lead of Trek’s Global Forecasting department.

"Mary worked tirelessly and made an amazing difference in Global Forecasting," said John Burke, President of Trek Bicycle. "We had some difficult years in the late 90s, and the changes that Mary implemented are one of the key reasons Trek is the successful company it is today."

Trek spokesperson Marina Marich said that John Burke was unavailable for an interview to specifically address the allegations in the story. 

The allegations came to light just prior to the release of the final Marquette University Law School poll that showed the Democrat Burke trailing incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker 50 to 43 percent among likely voters.

Burke, however, doesn't believe this story will leave a lasting impact on voters.

"No it's ridiculous, it's baseless, and no I don't think it will," said Burke.

De Pere, WI (WTAQ) - No one was hurt in a fire that destroyed a duplex in De Pere Wednesday afternoon.  

The fire broke out a little after 5:30 at 198 Desplaine Road. When crews arrived they saw flames and black smoke. One of the units was fully engulfed. 

Witnesses say they heard explosions. 

2 families are displaced and the Red Cross is assisting them.  

 Cause of the fire is unknown.

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A UW-Oshkosh professor says it's important not to dress up as racial stereotypes -- especially those of Native Americans -- when going out for Halloween.

English professor Miriam Schacht teaches American-Indian Literatures, and she's the faculty adviser for the campus Intertribal Student Organization.

She recently told students that racial images do real damage to real people -- and a stereotype is perpetuated when dressing in extremely sexual ways or what she calls "Pocahotties."

Schacht said it all correlates to high rates of sexual assault of Native women. She says they're two-and-a-half times more likely to be sexually assualted than non-Native U.S. women.

Schacht said 86 percent of rapes and 70 percent of all violence against Native Americans are committed by non-Natives. She told students that if they see stereotypical costumes, they should express their disapproval.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service) 

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - One of UW-Green Bay's longest-running donors have now given $1 million toward scholarships at the school.

Dr. Herbert and Crystal Sandmire matched the record for the single largest scholarship donation in UWGB history.

The donation is intended to help students who pursue careers in medical or related fields.

According to UW-Green Bay officials, the Herbert F. and Crystal J. Sandmire Scholarship was established in 1987, and university leaders say the donation could provide dozens of additional scholarships.

“This generous gift will provide a tremendous boost for our Human Biology program and related areas, which are helping to prepare the medical professionals of tomorrow,” UWGB Chancellor Gary Miller said in a news release. “Our regional economy depends on training and equipping more doctors and other professionals to provide the best care possible for the people of northeastern Wisconsin.”

According to the school, Herbert Sandmire was a UW-Green Bay community lecturer in human biology from 1968 to 1989 and is a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology. Crystal Sandmire graduated from UWGB in 1980 with a degree in communication arts, and was a charter member of the UW-Green Bay Founders Association.

The Sandmires have made donations for 46 years in a row, the longest streak among university donors.

GILLETT, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities say a Gillett man is behind bars after his girlfriend said he held her against her will for nine days.

The alleged victim told Gillett Police that 49-year-old Gary Tank held her captive from October 19 through October 27. During that time, the woman says Tank sexually assaulted and beat her.

She showed up at the Theda Clark's emergency room in Neenah early on the morning of October 28th.

According to a criminal complaint, the woman told police Tank beat her with a stick, grill brush, and meat tenderizer, causing bruising to her entire body. She also said Tank sexually assaulted her 3 times, and threatened her with a Swiss Army Knife.

Police say the woman told them Tank took away her medications, making it difficult for her to leave the house. She says she suffers from cerebral palsy and seizures.

Court documents show the woman left the house because Tank told her she needed to leave before his landlord showed up. She says Tank threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the abuse.

Tank made his initial court appearance on Wednesday. He's charged with 10 counts including 4 for sexual assault, false imprisonment, 2 counts of battery, and 2 counts of strangulation and suffocation. Tank is being held on a $500,000 cash bond.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - A driver in Manitowoc who crashed into a 3-wheel cycle rider, who got lodged in the windshield of the driver's vehicle, was sentenced to jail time Thursday.

In court, Jamie Hang pled no contest to three charges while two others were dropped. Hang was given four months in jail.

On the most serious charge of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, the conviction will be dropped if he follows certain conditions for 3 years.

For the convictions of hit-and-run involving injury and cause injury was under the influence, he was sentenced to a total of 4 months in jail, fined $300, placed on probation for 18 months, and had his driver’s license revoked for a year.

According to investigators, Hang was driving home back in January when he crashed his vehicle into a newspaper delivery tricycle rider. The man was lodged in the windshield and Hang ended up completing his drive home.

The victim was not seriously hurt.

MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The state Justice Department will again have agents and attorneys at the polls on Tuesday, to watch for election law violations.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he'll send enforcement teams to polling places in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Janesville, Beloit, Racine, Kenosha, Wausau, Stevens Point, and Waukesha.

Van Hollen says the agents will observe the voting activity, and help local election officials if and when that's needed.

The Justice Department sent out similar enforcement units in the 2004, '08, and 2010 elections -- plus the 2012 recall and general elections.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)