Burglary spree has Oshkosh businesses owners on edge

December 2, 2014, 6:13 am

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Oshkosh, WI (WTAQ) - The Oshkosh Police Department says it is dealing with a string of business burglaries.  

Police are investigating 27 incidents from the past month, alone. 

They believe the same person or group of people is responsible for most of them. 

Joe Nichols is with Oshkosh P-D.  He believes the rash has to do with the start of the holiday shopping season 

Most of the businesses that have been broken into are on North Koeller, Washburn, and North Main Streets. 

Wendy Wilkie owns a shop in the neighborhood.  She came to work one day to find her side glass door shattered.

She says she feels violated and scared.

Police are stepping up patrols.  More business owners are installing security cameras and alarm systems.

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Deer hunting season continues in Combined Locks

December 2, 2014, 6:20 am

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Combined Locks, WI (WTAQ) - Even though the gun-deer hunt season is over, if you live in Combined Locks, you’ll probably still see bow hunters in blaze orange. 

The village says there's too many deer.  So, they've recruited sharp-shooters for its special bow-hunt season. 

Village Adminsitrator Sean Hutchinson says the number of deer-human interactions has been on the rise.

To the point where there's more car-deer accidents.  They've even had to shoo the deer off ball fields before games. 

The hunters are well versed in safety rules...and have scounted the area.  

Lindberg and Memorial Parks are closed. Within those two parks there are seven hunting zones.

Fourteen bow hunters will each be allowed to kill one doe during a two week period ending December 14th..

Brewers, Timber Rattlers sign affiliate extension

December 2, 2014, 9:35 am

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GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) - The Milwaukee Brewers will continue to have a minor league club in Wisconsin for at least the next six seasons.

The Brewers Tuesday announced a four-year contract extension to keep its lower Class-"A" farm team in Grand Chute, an easy two-hour drive north of Miller Park.

Officials from both the Brewers and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers say they've enjoyed the affiliation they've shared for the past 6 years.

It's not only good for developing young talent. It also gives fans in the Fox Valley a chance to see an occasional Brewers' player who makes a rehab appearance after coming off a major injury.

The Timber Rattlers went 72-67 in the Midwest League's regular season this year, and they made the playoffs for the second time in 3 years. The Rattlers won the league title in 2012.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Nicholas Tuinstra will stand trial for killing estranged wife, boyfriend

December 2, 2014, 12:09 pm

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GREEN LAKE, WI (WTAQ) - A Berlin man charged with killing his estranged wife and her boyfriend will stand trial.

On Tuesday, a judge ruled that Nicholas Tuinstra will go to trial charged with 2 counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the fatal shootings in September.

No date for an arraignment was set.

Police say Melissa Tuinstra and Daniels had been dating for a couple of weeks.

Four people file $50M lawsuit over drug raid at Neenah motorcycle shop

December 2, 2014, 12:14 pm

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NEENAH, WI (WTAQ) - The owner of a Fox Valley motorcycle shop and three others are suing for $50 million in punitive damages, for the way authorities carried out a drug raid in 2012.

Wendy Williamson, Lottie Tucker, Michael Funk, and shop owner Steven Erato said the raid at Eagle Nation Cycles in Neenah was unjustified -- and they suffered emotional and psychological trauma over what they called a "hypermilitarized force."

In the words of the federal lawsuit, the officers "parked an armored tank-like vehicle outside of Eagle Nation, stormed the building, bombarding the occupants with assault weapons drawn, all while wearing plain clothes and face masks."

The lawsuit contended that the raid was meant to force Eagle Nation out of business, so the city of Neenah could seize the land for something else.

Police said they believed a drug operation was running there.

Erato was charged with 15 felony counts -- but they were all dropped except for a single count of possessing marijuana, for which he pleaded no contest. Erato's lawyer, Cole White, tells the Appleton Post-Crescent, "They threw everything but the kitchen sink at him, and it turned out to be nothing."

The plaintiffs are also asking for $400,000 in compensatory damages and lost income.

Winnebago County's corporation counsel is not commenting. The county is a defendant -- along with the city of Neenah and two police officials, and Circuit Judge Scott Woldt.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Part of Marinette County highway reopens after crash

December 3, 2014, 3:39 am

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MARINETTE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - A portion of Highway 141 in the Coleman area is back open after a panel between the pavement and the railroad tracks crossing the highway raised up about a foot early Wednesday.

The Marinette County highway commissioner says traffic was able to move freely in both directions as of 1:30 p.m. 

Around 3 a.m. Wednesday, a semi truck crashed after striking the panel, which was on the southbound side. Authorities say the driver is okay.

Both the highway commissioner and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation say they're unsure why the panel raised up, but they don't think it was weather related. The commissioner says a truck or car may have moved it.

DOT officials say the crossing is inspected weekly and they found no problems with the panel during recent inspections.

FOX 11 reports that officials with Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad say they aren't sure either why the panel shifted and raised up. They say it could be the weather, or another vehicle that caused the panel to move.

In 2008, the crossing was installed by the DOT. Railroad officials say panels in the northbound lane came loose a couple of years ago and needed to be replaced.

This morning's incident will cost an estimated $5,000 and the DOT says they will pay for the repair.

The DOT plans to replace the crossing in 2015, at the earliest. Officials say it needs to be a durable crossing because of the amount of traffic and speed.

The investigation is ongoing.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11)

Deer harvest numbers at a 30 year low

December 3, 2014, 3:53 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Across the state, the number of deer harvested is down more than 15 percent from last year, with 191,550 deer killed. 

In Northeast Wisconsin, the number of bucks killed stayed consistent. However, the total number of deer harvested dropped seven percent. 

With goals of replenishing the northern deer herd, DNR officials say they expected to see a drop in deer harvest numbers in this part of the state.

The DNR will continue to analyze the number through the rest of the year to get a clear picture of what 2014 means and what's in store for 2015.

On the plus, the DNR says this year's gun hunt was also the safest on record with only 3 shooting related incidents to report.....and no fatalities.

WPS seeks to build third natural gas turbine at Fox Energy Center

December 3, 2014, 8:09 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A northeast Wisconsin utility will seek state approval to build a new natural gas-fired turbine at an existing plant near Kaukauna.

The Wisconsin Public Service Corporation said Tuesday it plans to build a third turbine at the Fox Energy Center that would generate 400 megawatts -- enough electricity to power about 300,000 homes.

A spokesman said the cost would be around $550 million, and a more detailed cost estimate would be filed with the utility's application that's expected next month.

Wisconsin utilities are looking to natural gas facilities to replace older coal-fired boilers, at a time when the federal EPA is mandating that states reduce greenhouse gasses from coal plants.

Even so, Kira Loehr of the Citizens Utility Board said a more statewide approach is needed to determine what power plants can be used before new ones are approved.

She tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin's rates are already the second-highest in the Midwest. Why would be want to spend another half-billion dollars if we don't need to?"

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

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Bidding for the Paper Valley Hotel ends at $17.6 million

December 3, 2014, 4:33 pm

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APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) - An online auction that ended Wednesday afternoon brought in a final bid of $17.6 million for downtown Appleton's Paper Valley Hotel.

However, the website did not disclose the bidder’s identity or if the bid was accepted by the owners.

For much of the day, the price tag for the hotel was at $8.5 million. A series of late bids kept the price rising. Each bid extended the auction by 3 minutes, 30 seconds.

The hotel is currently owned by an investor group that purchased the property last year.

The city is expected to negotiate with the new owners to manage a planned exhibition center, which would be built just south of the College Avenue hotel.

The Appleton City Council will discuss the latest steps for the convention center project Wednesday night.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Owners: Blind Ref restaurant near Lambeau Field closing

December 3, 2014, 4:37 pm

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ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) - A restaurant near Lambeau Field, whose property was recently purchased by the Green Bay Packers, says they will close by March.

The owners of the Blind Ref restaurant had signed a 10-year lease with the previous property owner, but then last month the Packers bought the property. 

The owners wouldn't talk specifics about what the agreement entails, but they do say the Packers compensated them.

(Additional reporting from FOX 11).

Highway 15 reopens after Outagamie County crash

December 4, 2014, 6:33 am

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GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ) - One man was flown to the hospital after a crash which shut down part of a highway.

Authorities say a cement truck was headed north on Hwy. 15 and tried to turn left on Hillview Rd. A car then rear-ended the truck.

The driver of the car, a 37-year-old man, was flown to the hospital, but officials don’t think his injuries are life-threatening.

The highway has since reopened.

Authorities investigate rash of burglaries along FDL/Winnebago county line

December 4, 2014, 8:54 am

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FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) - Authorities are investigating a series of burglaries around the Fond du Lac/Winnebago county line, and it's causing some concern.

The burglaries have taken place between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. They seem to be targeting homes during the day when no one is there.

Winnebago County sheriff’s officials are recommending homeowners in the area take steps to reduce their chance of being burglarized:

• Make sure all doors and windows are secure before leaving.
• Avoid having expensive items within plain sight or near a window.
• Leave a light or TV on to create the illusion someone is home.
• Put a sign for a home security system in your yard – even if you don’t actually have a security system.
• Keep tall shrubs and overgrown trees manicured to eliminate hiding places for burglars.
• Call 911 if you see anything suspicious.

Sean Oehlke will stand trial in Town of Menasha murder

December 4, 2014, 9:00 am

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - A man suspected in a fatal burglary in the Town of Menasha to stand trial.

On Thursday, Sean Oehlke waived a preliminary hearing and will be arraigned is scheduled for December 15.

Authorities say Oehlke broke into the apartment and a confrontation led to Williams Summers' death. 

The criminal complaint states that Oehlke placed Summers in a headlock until the victim went limp.

Oehlke is charged with reckless homicide and burglary.

Lt Governor announces trade trip to China

December 4, 2014, 10:23 am

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Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) - It's a road trip !  Wisconsin Lt Governor Rebecca Kleefisch has her bags packed and is ready to lead a trade delegation to China.  

Kleefisch, and a group of 7 other legislators from around the country, will leave on Saturday.

The 10 day trip will take the group from Beijing to Shanghai.  Kleefisch says job one.... introduce herself to business leaders in China.

She says people in China place a high value on face-to-face meetings.

After that, it's sell Wisconsin.  Kleefisch says she'll focus on Wisconsin manufacturing and agriculture as our best exports. 

China is the 3rd largest export market for Wisconsin....worth $1-point-6 billion in 2013.

The trip is being paid for by the China-United States Exchange Foundation.

UW System considers starting fraud hotline

December 4, 2014, 12:12 pm

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MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - The UW System might start its own fraud hotline -- where people can report waste, fraud, and abuse by any of the 26 public campuses or their employees.

The Board of Regents will consider the idea Friday.

Officials say the university hotline would be separate from an existing state government waste and fraud reporting line.

Officials say an outside company would run the UW hotline, at a cost of under $75,000 a year.

University officials say other schools around the country have their own anti-fraud hotlines -- including a number of them in UW-Madison's Big Ten Conference.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

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Oshkosh couple delivers baby at police station

December 4, 2014, 12:24 pm

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - An Oshkosh man made a wrong turn while driving his wife to a hospital to have their second baby -- but the hair-raising tale had a happy ending.

Nick Robarge said he accidentally turned onto Washington Street during a snowstorm November 24th.

Instead of proceeding to the hospital, he stopped at the nearby police station to get help. The officers made his wife Libby feel comfortable, and then called fire department paramedics.

They delivered the baby, because the woman's water was already broken.

The Oshkosh Northwestern said the couple had a healthy baby boy, Isaac, within 15 minutes after arriving at the police department. They said they were grateful for the assistance.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Brown County sheriff's deputies on a wild ride

December 5, 2014, 3:12 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Brown County was busy with two high speed chases overnight that were related. 

It all started with an armed robbery at the Kwik Trip on GV in Bellevue, just a short distance from the Sheriff's Department headquarters. 

Deputies say two vehicles took off from the gas station and led them on high speed chases.

One vehicle crashed on Pilgrim Way and Highway 172. 2 people got away, but the Sheriff's Department does not believe the public is in danger.

The other vehicle crashed in a roundabout by the Oneida Casino in Ashwaubenon. 3 people arrested there. 2 of them suffering minor injuries.

Both vehicles were reported stolen from Illinois.

The armed robbery victim, back at the Kwik Trip, was not hurt.

Report: Wisconsin has 10 of the 52 coldest places in U.S.

December 5, 2014, 8:43 am

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GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin does not have one of the ten coldest cities in the nation.

But it does have 10 of the nation's 52 coldest places.

That's what USA Today discovered, after reviewing data from the National Climatic Data Center.

The paper says Eau Claire has the state's coldest average winter temperature, of 17.5 degrees. That's the 11th coldest among the 52 listed by USA Today.

Green Bay is the 17th coldest, at just over 19 degrees. Appleton and Oshkosh are tied for 21st. La Crosse is 22nd, Madison 24th, Waukesha 26th, Milwaukee 38th, Racine 40th, and Kenosha 52nd.

Lake Michigan helps keep folks in Kenosha warmer than most, with an average winter temperature of 25.9 degrees.

The report says the nation's 2 coldest cities are in Alaska. Barrow has a winter average of almost 1 -degrees below zero. Fairbanks averages 4.5 below.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

More LCS for Marinette Marine inside approved defense bill

December 5, 2014, 8:48 am

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MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ) - Marinette Marine is one step closer to getting more military business, after the House passed a defense authorization bill Thursday.

The $585 billion package was approved on a largely bipartisan vote of 300-119.

The bill includes three more littoral combat ships for the Navy, with production to be shared by Marinette Marine and a company in Alabama.

However, one Wisconsin Democrat says the defense bill also hurts the Badger State's growing bio-fuel industry.

Ron Kind of La Crosse voted against the package, saying it prohibits any use of bio-fuels by military -- and Kind says it goes against what the Pentagon had called for. He also said the bill did not include much needed changes in what he called a "wasteful procurement system."

Kind said the military still has weapons' programs that are $300 billion over their budgets, and in his words, "We can't afford business as usual anymore."

The defense bill now heads to the Senate next week, where approval is expected.

(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)

Sizemore pleads not guilty for robbery near UW-Oshkosh

December 5, 2014, 3:08 pm

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OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) - The man charged in a string of armed robberies near the UW-Oshkosh campus is pleading not guilty.

According to online court records, Jake Sizemore entered his plea to charges of robbery, two counts of battery and a count of carrying a concealed weapon. Sizemore's trial is scheduled to start January 27.

Oshkosh police say he was carrying a knife in his pocket when he was arrested following an attempted robbery near the UWO campus on October 26. The alleged student victim was attacked by Sizemore, but was able to run away and notify authorities.

Sizemore is also linked to an October 20 robbery and beating of another UWO student. According to a criminal complaint, the student was approached by Sizemore, who was riding a bicycle, when he was leaving the Polk Library around 1 a.m. Sizemore yelled at the student, and then punched him in the face and kicked him with steel-toed boots. The complaint goes on to state that he then stole the student's backpack containing his laptop, books and wallet.

Police say the 2 students who were assaulted, as well as a third student who was present during the attempted robbery on October 26, identified Sizemore as the attacker.

Police are also considering him a suspect in the October 21 stabbing of two students during an attempted robbery, the complaint said.